Crow noticed that Penelope seemed to relax a bit after he spoke to her, and he was glad. He didn’t want her to feel insecure about herself when he truly felt that sleeping with her had been more special to him than being with any other woman, no matter how “talented” they were in bed. He enjoyed the newfound closeness that had formed between them. It was something he had never experienced before with anyone else.

“Maybe this is how I can pay you back for the fighting lessons you’ve been giving me,” he smirked coyly. As she moved back to the hay bale, he followed after her, lying down on his side and sliding his arm around her middle to hold her against his body. He closed his eyes, exhaling contentedly against her neck. Though they hadn’t shared beds for long, he was growing to really like sleeping beside her at night. She made him feel relaxed, and he always woke up well-rested the next morning.

As he began to drift off again, he realized that it was raining softly outside. He didn’t hear any thunder, but he pressed closer to Penelope anyway, hoping to comfort her in case she was anxious. He yawned again, unable to stay awake any longer.

“Goodnight,” he murmured, sinking into the arms of sleep at last.