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There was nothing like it, her breath warm against his chest, her body tucked so close it was as if she were trying to fuse into him.

One leg hooked over his, half possessive, part instinct.

It wasfokkin’ hot, yet so perfect. Her ever-changing scent shifted. Now he got a subtle mix of night jasmine and vanilla scent that grounded him.

When her steady heartbeat synced with his, Xander sighed, whole and relaxed.

Until their shared temperature got to him.

By midnight, they were an inferno of limbs and sweat.

Savvine groaned and shoved away from him, muttering something about sleeping inside a star.

He rolled onto his back, smiling, only for her to curl back toward him minutes later, like gravity refused to let them stay apart.

They were a celestial orbit of ridiculous need.

Then the duvet war began.

Xander threw the covers off.

Savvine dragged them over her shoulders.

He tugged.

She kicked.

At some point, she shifted to the edge of the bed with the blanket cocooned around her, resembling a victorious burrito, one arm flopped out in a dramatic, unconcerned sprawl.

Xander stared at her. ‘Unbelievable.’

A sleepy sound emerged from her throat, like a smug laugh.

He grabbed the corner, muttering something about injustice, and wrestled back a share of the fabric. She didn’t fight him this time.

They ended up face to face, noses almost touching, only just covered by the chaotic folds of what was once a civilized blanket.

Savvine let out a drowsy sigh. ‘You’re hot.’

‘On a physical or thermal level?’

His voice was a husky whisper in the dark.

She cracked an eye open. Smirked. ‘Both. We’ve got scorching chem. It’s too heated, I’m afraid.’

In the end, they found a truce. One leg out each for cooling, arms loose, no one possessed more than their fair share.

Xander slid his hand around her waist, not to hold her close but just enough to feel she was still there.

Finally, peace.

Ridiculous, warm, comforter crinkled tranquility.

His smile buried into her hair.

Fokkyeah. He could freakin’ get used to this.

KAINAN SABLE, ON EDEN II