Sleepless Farewell

It felt as though the two of them were trapped in an elevator—the air thick, the need urgent, craving release, longing to be pulled from that drowning, breathless space.

"Vance..."

"Hmm, I'm right here..."

By the time Vance was ready to leave, Celine had fallen into an exhausted sleep on the bed.

Reluctantly, he kissed the sleeping woman.

Having her in his life, in his bed, felt like a rare gift—a