The scent hit her first, before she was fully awake. It smelled like the forest after rain. Familiar. It was the same one that threaded through her dreams.
The second thing she felt was an arm wrapped around her.
Then panic slammed into her chest. Her body knew before her mind caught up: she had almost died.
The arm around her tightened immediately, possessive but careful, as if it had been waiting for that exact moment.
"Hey, Serena," a calm voice whispered. "You're safe."
Her lashes fluttered open as the room swam into view. She registered the I.V. attached to her arm first, then the silk camisole and shorts she was wearing.
She swallowed, her throat tight.
"Dexmon?" Her voice came out rougher than she expected, as the room finally settled around his face.
"First off, call me Dex."
Color rushed to her cheeks at the simple request. For reasons she could not explain, it felt far more intimate than it had any right to.
