258 Warmer than before

For several seconds, Emily lay there frozen with a stunned expression as she gazed into the darkness while acutely aware of feeling Raylen's arm holding her as if she were a stuffed toy. 

"Raylen… Do you know what you are doing?" Emily asked, trying to stay calm even as her body continued to heat up with her cheeks on fire. 

"Attempting to sleep but being disturbed by your question?" Raylen's voice held a questioning tone, blatantly ignoring the fact that they had skipped all the steps. 

"No. You are holding me," Emily stated, rolling her eyes. 

"I thought it was obvious, Princess. I am holding my wife," Raylen hummed, his voice gradually fading as if he had settled into a comfortable position and was ready to drift off to sleep. 

"Raylen!" Emily scolded him, though Raylen found it all the more endearing. "I thought we were going to take little steps."