The apartment is quiet with city light outside creating a long rectangle of window shine across the mattress and part of the wall. The earlier rain has stopped, but the glass is still wet with drops that slide down slow.

Quanxi shifts beside you. The mattress dips slightly, then settles as she rolls closer. Her arm comes down across your waist, her palm flat against your stomach. Her skin still lingers with the faint scent of vanilla and sweat that always clings to her.

She exhales once through her nose, the air hitting the hair at the back of your neck.

“Can’t sleep,” she says, her voice is low and rough. “Need you.”

Her lips find the slope of your shoulder. And kisses it. The kiss lingers... then parting her lips slightly so the wet heat of her mouth stays pressed there longer than necessary.

“Say yes,” she murmurs against your skin, words barely louder than breath, “and I’ll make it worth it.”