Before she could even lift her weight off the mattress, a heavy, incredibly warm arm suddenly snaked around her waist.
gasped as she was effortlessly pulled backward. She fell flush against a broad, bare chest, the sudden movement sending a sharp, electric ache right through her lower back.
"And exactly where," a deep, raspy voice murmured directly into her ear, "does the Vanguard Madam think she is going at this ungodly hour?"
Samuel hadn't opened his eyes, but his grip around her waist was like an iron band. He buried his face into the crook of her neck, his breath ghosting over her skin, sending a fresh wave of shivers down her spine despite her exhaustion.
"I have to go to court," Heena stated, trying to sound commanding, though it came out sounding remarkably breathless. She gently patted the heavy arm wrapped around her. "Let go, Samuel."
"No," Samuel replied simply, his voice muffled against her skin.
