He came to stand beside me, close enough that our arms brushed.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he murmured.
I smiled faintly. “Me too.”
For a long moment, we watched the horizon together. The sun dipped lower, turning the sky shades of gold and violet. Wolf folded his arms over the rail, but his attention wasn’t on the view.
It was on me.
“You’re quiet,” I said softly.
He huffed a breath. “Just thinking.”
“That sounds dangerous.”
His lips twitched. “Could be.”
I waited.
I’d learned quickly that Wolf spoke when he was ready—never before.
Finally, he said, “I didn’t like leaving you alone today. Even for a second.”
“You didn’t,” I teased. “You hovered.”
“I did not hover.”
“You did,” I insisted. “It was sweet hovering.”
He shook his head, but his mouth softened.
Then his voice dropped lower. “I meant what I said earlier.”
“About what?”
“You staying in the apartment,” he said. “Not being alone. Me being with you.”
My breath hitched. “I know. And I’m grateful.”
He turned to face me fully.
“No,” he said gently. “I don’t think you understand.”
I blinked. “What do you mean?”
He held my gaze—steady, serious, warm in a way that melted through me.
“When I said you weren’t leaving my sight,” he murmured, “I didn’t mean during the day.”
I swallowed. “You didn’t?”
He shook his head slowly.
“I meant—”
He stepped closer, the heat of him surrounding me.
“—not at night either.”
