Page 140 of Celestial Combat

“I do.”

“Thank you.”

A soft, breathy laugh escaped her, my forehead leaning against hers, my nose brushing her cheek.

“I promise to always make you feel safe, Kali.” My heart thundered in my chest. “Always.”

Chapter 36

Present

Brooklyn, New York City

THEMORNING LIGHT WAS BLINDING. It poured through the grand windows, casting soft shadows across the white sheets tangled around me.

I was on my side, half on my stomach. My curls were a wild mess, draped across the pillow.

I pushed up on my elbows, blinking against the brightness. The oversized white T-shirt I’d slept in slipped off one shoulder.

I squinted toward the window, then lowered my gaze to the bed.

Zane lay there, face turned toward me, still asleep. He was on his stomach, one massive arm thrown across my waist, holding me close like a chain. His tattoos contrasted against the bedsheets and his skin, inked lines and symbols trailing down his back and arm. His dark hair was messy, his lips parted slightly, breath slow and steady.

I smiled, small and quiet. For a man who could break bones, he looked peaceful like this.

His arm was heavy around me; grounding, safe. His touch was warm and rough and manly. Steady in ways I could never be.

The weight of his arm was still around my waist when I reached for my phone on the nightstand. I moved slow, careful not to wake him.

The screen lit up.

Five new messages, though I didn’t open the app to check them. I wasn’t in the mood yet.

Not while it was still quiet, still soft.

I opened social media instead and started scrolling for a while.

A ruffle in the sheets behind me.

“Good morning.”

Low. Rough. Still half-asleep.

I smiled, turning to look at Zane. “Hi.”

He moved closer, tightening his arm around me. His face pressed into the space between my shoulder and neck, lips brushing warm against my collarbone.

“What are you doing?” He murmured, eyes still closed.

“Just on my phone.”We stayed like that for a few seconds. The kind of stillness we didn’t get often.“You sleep okay?” I asked softly, still scrolling.

“Don’t even remember I fell asleep.” He chuckled, deep and rough. “You wore me out.”

I let out a quiet laugh, setting the phone down on the mattress. “You’re welcome.”

He chuckled under his breath and pulled me impossibly close, burying his nose into the crook of my neck. “Damn. You smell so good.”

“I smell like you.”