A Soft Space

Hadley’s POV

“You stalking me now?” I asked, my voice scratchy, low, more tired than teasing.

Maddox didn’t smile. Not exactly. But one corner of his mouth twitched like he wanted to. “Maybe.”

His voice rumbled, deeper in the quiet, like the night soaked it up and gave it back softer. Warmer.

I swallowed, my throat dry. My body still damp and aching, my limbs heavy like I’d been swimming through m