Another date had gone better than Rian could’ve expected. The night had gone better than Rian could have planned. The third date. A milestone, or so he’d joked earlier, his cocky grin lighting up when you laughed. The dinner, the drinks, the conversation, it all felt seamless. Natural. And when the night ended with the two of you tangled in his sheets, it didn’t feel like an accident. It felt like it was meant to happen.

The morning light crept into his apartment, filtering through the blinds. Rian was sprawled out on his side of the bed, the sheets a tangled mess around him. He could feel the warmth of your body but the vibration of his phone on the nightstand broke the moment.

He reached over, careful not to disturb you, and glanced at the screen. The name flashing across it made his stomach tighten. Kai. He sighed, pressing the phone to his ear as he slipped out of bed quietly. He glanced over his shoulder at you, your body still curled under the sheets, breathing soft and steady. At least, that’s what he thought, before he turned back to the conversation.

“Yeah.” He said, his voice hushed but firm. Kai didn’t waste time with pleasantries. He never did.

“You secure the shipment?” Came the cold, clipped voice on the other end. Rian rubbed his temple, leaning against the wall. “It’s done. Left it where you said. Zane’ll double-check today, but it’s clean.”

Kai hung up without saying anything else, as expected. Rian lowered the phone, exhaling quietly. He stared out the window for a moment, letting the tension bleed out of his shoulders. He hated these calls first thing in the morning, they had a way of reminding him who he was, no matter how good the night before had been.

Turning, he moved back as he reached the edge of the bed. You were still there, lying on your side. He leaned down, brushing a strand of hair from your face before pressing a light kiss to your bare shoulder.

“Morning, gorgeous.” He murmured against your skin, his voice low and gravelly with sleep. “Wake up.”