Tristan kept her hand pressed against his cheek, and his skin felt so warm it was almost burning her palm. Emily's heart raced. Trying to play it cool, she slipped her hand out of his grasp and tucked it back under the covers.

"What are you staring at? I'm going to sleep," she muttered, rolling onto her side and turning her back to him.

Behind her, Tristan chuckled quietly, the sound full of teasing.

Emily squeezed her eyes shut, feeling a little annoyed with him.

Suddenly, she sensed him moving closer. Even with her eyes closed, she could feel

his presence, his breath getting nearer.

She whispered, "What do you want now?"

"Emily Blair."

He said her name so softly, and she finally realized just how close he was. His breath was warm against her cheek, making her shrink her shoulders.

He lowered his voice, "Did you know your ears turn bright red?”

The hospital bed was small, barely enough for two adults. Every little movement made her bump into Tristan, and he wasn't even pretending to give her space.

The way he spoke, the way he hovered so close, the whole atmosphere-it felt way too intimate. Dangerous, even.

Two people, alone in a hospital room, sharing one bed and one blanket... it was crossing a line.

If this kept up, she wasn't sure she could control what happened next.

Her heart pounded. She yanked the blanket up and pulled it over her head, curling up tight.

"Don't bug me. I mean it, I'm going to sleep now."

Tristan's low laugh drifted through the covers.

Frustrated, Emily kicked him under the blanket.

He stopped laughing right away and gently patted her shoulder. "Okay, okay, I'll stop messing with you. Don't be angry. Come out of there, it can't be comfortable."

Emily pulled the blanket off her head and shot him a glare.

Her hair was a mess, sticking out in every direction. Tristan reached over to smooth it down, lips twitching like he was holding back another laugh. "There. Now get some sleep. I promise, no more teasing."

Emily didn't say a word. She just fished around under the covers for her phone. Tristan asked, "What's up?"

She ignored him, found her favorite variety show, grabbed the TV remote, and cast the show onto the screen. Only then did she mumble, "You've annoyed me so much I'm wide awake. I need something to help me fall asleep again.”

Tristan noticed her red ears and cheeks, but he let it go. He put his hands up in surrender. "Okay, my bad. Totally my fault."

Just like she hoped, the silly chatter from the show helped her relax. Soon her eyelids grew heavy and she drifted off.

Tristan watched her with a soft smile. He carefully slid the remote from her hand, turned down the volume, and tucked the blanket around her.

He bent down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"Sleep well," he whispered.

After that, he picked up his own phone, opened his messages, and typed in the number he'd memorized from Emily's contacts-Andrew Lane.

He sent a text: This is Tristan Davis. Can we meet?

It was half past midnight, but Andrew replied almost instantly: I can.

Tristan and Andrew set a time and place. He locked his phone, tossed it aside, and reached out to gently stroke Emily's hair.

She was deep asleep, breathing softly, completely unaware of what he was up to.

Having Emily close and her promise

fresh in his

sense ofond, Tristan finally felt a

sur, her words were

just one part of it-he needed to

show where he stood, too.

Meeting Andrew Lane was something he couldn't avoid.

A little while later, his IV was almost empty. Tristan pressed the call button. The

same nurse from earlier came in, this time moving more carefully.

She noticed right away the lights were off except for the gentle blue glow from the TV Emily was asleep beside Tristan, and he was sitting up, softly stroking her hair, looking at her with so much tenderness.

The nurse paused, then Tristan looked up, caught her eye, and put a finger to his lips, asking her to keep quiet.

The scene made the nurse smile. She nodded, wheeled over the cart, and quietly unhooked the finished IV.

That was Tristan's last IV for the night. He just needed to stay in the hospital until morning. If nothing happened, he'd be able to go home.

Tristan nodded and whispered, "Thank you."

The nurse glanced at Emily, her eyes gentle and full of silent well wishes for the two of them, then quietly left the room.

Their movements were so gentle and careful that Emily stayed asleep, undisturbed, and didn't wake until morning.

It was Tristan who woke her.

Emily stretched out under the blanket, then burrowed deeper, refusing to get up.

Tristan looked at the messy back of her head, shaking his head with a soft smile.

He reached over and patted her gently. "If you don't get up soon, you're going to be late."

Emily didn't budge, just stayed buried in the covers.

Tristan laughed, his hand still in her hair. “How are you sleepier than I am? I'm the one who's sick. Come on, the company can't run without you."

She wiggled a little but still didn't move.

He leaned down, close to her ear, and spoke in a low voice, "If you don't get up, I might have to get creative."

Emily ignored him, pretending to be asleep.

Tristan's voice was soft but had a hint of mischief. "If you really can't get up, maybe we should act like a real couple. No one's here

us.

swstop

As he spoke, he slowly started to pull her blanket away.