Ava

I froze. My heart stuttered. I should’ve said something—anything—but all I could do was stare into his eyes and give a small, slow nod.

That was all he needed.

He leaned in gently, his lips brushing against mine like a question he was waiting for me to answer with my body. I did. I kissed him back.

It wasn’t messy. There was no clash of teeth or desperate tugging. It was soft, delicate... yet still hot enough to set my skin on fire. He kissed me like he meant it. Like I was something he’d wanted for a long time but had waited patiently to earn.

And I kissed...