She slipped off her coat, revealing the curve‑hugging dress she’d chosen for the evening—a sleek, midnight‑black slip that traced the line of her hips and hinted at the lace that lay hidden beneath. Her hair, still damp from the rain, fell in glossy waves around her shoulders, and the faint scent of vanilla and sandalwood lingered from the candle she’d left burning on the coffee table.
A soft “Welcome home” floated from the bedroom, warm and inviting. The voice was his—low, steady, with a smile you could hear even before you saw it. He stood in the doorway, the soft glow of the lamp painting his silhouette in amber. He pulled a single chair close and gestured for her to come in.