Page 11 of Fierce Hearts

It wasn't what I truly wanted.

CHAPTER3

GRAYSON

Morning came with harsh sunlight streaming through a gap in the curtains. I woke first, momentarily disoriented before registering the warm weight of Sofia against my side. Her dark hair was spread across my chest, her face peaceful in sleep.

I allowed myself a moment to simply look at her, committing the details to memory—the softness of her face, the slight part of her lips, the curve of her shoulder where the sheet had slipped down. I didn't care that her eyeliner and mascara had smudged on her face, or that traces of her lipstick were smeared from our kisses.

I'd had my share of women over the years, but none had affected me the way Sofia did. It wasn't just the physical attraction, though that was undeniable. There was something about her spirit, her fierce independence coupled with an underlying vulnerability she tried so hard to hide.

We'd awoken a few times throughout the night to have more fun, and it had been everything I could have wanted and more.

A perfect night with a stunning woman.

Sofia's eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding them briefly before she relaxed. "Morning," she murmured, her voice husky with sleep.

"Morning," I replied, fighting the urge to kiss her. We'd agreed to no strings, and morning-after intimacy definitely counted as strings.

She seemed to read my thoughts, because she sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest. "What time is it?"

I reached for my phone on the bedside to check it. "Just after seven."

"I should get back to my room before people start waking up." She ran a hand through her tangled hair, avoiding my gaze.

"Sofia." I waited until she looked at me. "It will be fine. No one will know if we don't say anything."

"I know, sorry." She sighed before a small smile touched her lips. "Last night was... it was good."

"Just good?" I raised an eyebrow, trying to lighten the sudden tension.

It worked. She laughed, the sound warming something inside me. "Fine. It was amazing and fun. Happy now?"

"Over the moon." I sat up with a chuckle, letting the sheet pool around my waist. "But if you're having regrets?—"

"I'm not," she interrupted, then sighed. "I just... I don't want things to be awkward. Especially with Meredith and Leo."

I nodded. "They don't need to know. This was no strings, right?"

"Right." She hesitated, then leaned forward to press a quick kiss to my lips before sliding out of bed. "I need to pee."

I smirked, watching as she rose from the bed, admiring her breathtaking body in the morning light. She disappeared into the bathroom, leaving me with my thoughts.

I fell back against the pillows, running a hand over my face. One night. That's what we'd agreed to. So why did it feel like I was already breaking that promise in my head?

The toilet flushed, followed by the faucet running for a little too long, and then the bathroom door swung open, revealing Sofia with a towel wrapped around her.

"I looked like a wild raccoon, sorry," she said with a grimace, clutching the towel tighter. She had indeed tidied up her makeup.

"You looked fine, still do," I said, finding delight in how she averted her gaze, her lips pulling up in the corners.

"I'm starving. Guess the cardio got me good."

I chuckled as I pushed myself up from the bed. "Why don't I grab us something from the buffet downstairs? Save you having to face the walk of shame in yesterday's dress right away? You can shower while I'm gone."

"That's... actually really thoughtful." Her mouth finally spread into a small smile, although she was averting her gaze from my naked form. Like we hadn't just spent the night fucking like horny teenagers.

"I have my moments." I pulled on my pants and reached for my shirt. "Coffee?"

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