Chapter 31

The first thing Livia noticed as she began to rouse was the scent of the gym—rubber mats and old sweat that never went away, despite the disinfectant—all clashing with the intoxicating mix of cedar, dark winter berries, and oakmoss.

Warm arms tightened around her, holding her against a hard body.

Still lingering in the space between wakefulness and sleep, she snuggled into the embrace, holding on tightly to her recurring dream. It was lovely here. She felt cared for. Safe.

These moments were the ones she held on to when she opened her eyes and found herself alone.

Livia didn't need a man. She could protect herself. She'd survived this long on her own, only occasionally scratching the itch with one-night stands. She was a strong, independent, capable woman.

That didn't mean it wasn't something she wanted. These men haunting her dreams hadn't just awoken the hunger in her for companionship and love, they'd intensified it a hundred fold.

But, she was