Chapter 1: Introduction
The room was a soft blur of moonlight and shadows. Alex lay sprawled on his back in bed, the sheets twisted around his waist, his body still flushed from the heat of his frustration. His blue eyes stared up at the ceiling, their usual sparkle dimmed by a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. He'd been at it for what felt like hours, yet his body refused to cooperate. His hand moved slower now, the initial urgency replaced by a dull ache of disappointment.
A soft knock echoed through the room, and the door creaked open. Maria slipped inside, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves.