Chapter 23

Zane’s POV

“Whoa, hold on, hold on. Calm down. I'm sorry," I said gently as she sprang up from the bed.

Just a few moments ago, I had woken to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains and the warmth of Belle snuggled into my arms. Her breath was slow and steady against my chest.

As I watched her, a sense of peace settled over me, something I hadn’t felt with any woman. She stirred, looking up at me with sleepy eyes.

“Zane,” she murmured, snuggling closer. “If this is a dream, which I know it is, let me not wake up from it.”

Her words warmed my heart. I held her closer, gently stroking her hair and brushing it out of her face. When suddenly she jerked up, her eyes wide. “Oh my God, oh my God,” she whispered, slapping herself hard on the cheek. She yelped in pain and realized, “It’s not a dream, it’s not a dream!”

She immediately rose from the bed, grabbing the covers to shield her exposed chest. “What happened? Did you