Morning sunlight spilled through the windows of the riverside house.
Cael Alexander and Galathea Brooks descended the stairs, both dressed for the day, though their definitions of appropriate morning attire for receiving guests differed considerably.
Cael wore a plain white tee and dark pajama trousers. Galathea had chosen a sleeveless high-collared top and denim cutoffs that appeared to be shorter on Galathea than Cael remembered purchasing.
The collar concealed the hickey bruises Cael had stubbornly left along her neck the previous night... and again at dawn… and also this morning.
He had protested the shorts, insisting it was too cold. She had answered with a sarcastic remark.
His response had been simple. "Wear those again and I'll leave the next set of kiss marks on your thighs instead."
She had wisely decided not to test whether he was bluffing.
The moment they reached the first floor, the peaceful morning vanished.
