A single tear ran down my cheeks, and his thumb ran under my eyes, wiling the tear away. I wasn't so sure why it suddenly felt like such a relief, but it did. It felt so much like a breath of fresh air.

"Come here," he said, his voice smooth and comforting as he pulled me into his warm, scented embrace, his fingers pushing into my hair.

I closed my eyes against his familiar scent, my heart beating rapidly, my chest tight. I wrapped my hand around him, my face turning to bury in the side of his, my lips parting against his fresh, soft skin.

"You are still a...