In the soft light filtering through the heavy drapes, I felt Ciara stir beside me. I blinked, barely awake, stretching my arms out, but before I could sit up, she wrapped her arms around me and pulled me back down, pressing her face into my neck with a low, sleepy grumble.
"Where do you think you're going?" she muttered, her voice still thick with sleep.
I laughed, trying to wriggle free, but her grip tightened. "I have to go to work, Ciara," I replied, trying to sound firm, though I could feel a smile tugging at my lips. "Leora is probably expecting me any minute."
"Leora can wait," she whispered, her breath warm against my ear. "You've got way more important things to do right here."
"Oh, really?" I said, trying not to laugh as she nuzzled into my neck. "What could possibly be more important than my job?"