Hailey was stirred awake by the faint movements beside her. Still half-asleep, she felt Den shifting as if he was about to get up, prompting her to groggily open


    her eyes.


    Last night, they had gone from the bed to the bathroom and then to the couch, exhausting every bit of their energy. Now, every slight movement sent a burning ache through her body, and she felt as if she were falling apart.


    "Den, are you leaving?" she asked.


    Hailey had been sleeping nestled in Den''s arms, and though he had tried to be as gentle as possible, his movements had still woken her.


    Den gazed at her softly. "Hailey, I have to go."


    "What time is it?"


    "Go back to sleep. It''s only 4:00 am."


    Hailey reached out and hugged him, snuggling into his embrace like a clingy kitten. "It''s only 4:00 am. Why are you leaving so soon? Stay with me a little longer."


    Den needed to return to the hotel. He couldn''t afford to be absent when Ste woke up, and he had his own responsibilities to attend to.


    But now, with Hailey holding onto him and acting spoiled, he found himself wavering.


    After all, even the strongest heroes could falter in the face of tenderness.


    Deny back down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Alright, I''ll stay a little longer. Go back to sleep."


    Hailey nted a firm kiss on his cheek before snuggling back into him. She was so exhausted that she quickly drifted back into a deep slumber.


    However, Den couldn''t sleep. He held Hailey in his arms for a long time, savoring the warmth of her body against his.


    The memories ofst night still lingered in his bones, sending shivers through him whenever he thought about it. The passion they had shared had been intoxicating.


    Now that the heat of the moment had passed, he realized how impulsive he had been. He had taken her-and now, she was his.


    Den gazed at Hailey''s delicate oval face affectionately. He leaned down and kissed her, starting from her cheeks to her lips, then burying his face in her silky hair to kiss her again.


    He had suppressed his feelings for so long, but now that they had been unleashed, he realized just how much he adored her. He wanted to be with her forever.


    He pulled her tightly into his embrace, perhaps a little too forcefully. Hailey winced slightly in her sleep and let out a soft murmur. "It hurts..."


    Den immediately loosened his grip, afraid of hurting her further.


    Once Hailey was sound asleep again, Den carefully slipped out of bed. He


    dressed quietly, kissed her onest time, and then left the room.


    ...


    Back at the hotel, Ste was still fast asleep.


    He ced Ste on the bed andy down beside her, closing his eyes as thoughts of Hailey filled his mind.


    At 7:00 am, Ste stirred awake. She shifted slightly, realizing she was lying in Den''s arms.


    Den sat up. "You''re awake?"


    Ste sat up as well, trying to recall the events of the previous night. She remembered sitting on Den''sp, but everything after that wa a blur.


    "Den, did we sleep togetherst night?" Ste asked hesitantly.


    Den got out of bed and coldly asked, "Isn''t that what you and your father wanted? He drugged me so this would happen.


    Congrattions-you got what you wanted."


    It seemed they had really slept together.


    Ste quickly got out of bed and wrapped her arms around him. "Den, are you


    mad? Are you upset because of what my father did?"


    Den pushed her away gently. "I''m not mad."


    "I feel like you are. Den, I''m sorry. I like you so much. I was afraid you''d reject


    me, so I resorted to such a desperate measure."


    Den met her gaze. "Ste, I''ve already agreed to be with you. You didn''t have to do this."


    ????


    "But I felt like your heart wasn''t with me!" Ste eximed, hugging him again. Now it''s settled. We''re f together, Den. Let''s never be apart."


    Den stood still as she clung to him. He didn''t say a word.