Rui Griffin leaned close, his breath warm against Reina's ear.
"Close your eyes, Babe Rei," he whispered softly.
A shiver ran through her as his lips brushed her ear again, light and teasing. Her cheeks flushed, her body reacting before her thoughts could catch up.
"My dear wife…" His voice dropped, gentler now. "Are you ready for me?"
Reina stiffened for a brief moment, her heart racing. Then she nodded, her fingers instinctively curling around his collar, drawing comfort from his presence.
Tonight was different.
Tonight, she had chosen this.
Rui watched her carefully, as if weighing every flicker of emotion in her eyes. When she reached for the hem of her satin dress with trembling hands, he didn't rush her. He simply stood there, waiting—giving her the space to decide.
When the fabric slipped from her shoulders, she instinctively crossed her arms for a second, but his gaze stopped her.
"My dear… you're beautiful," he murmured, his tone no longer teasing, but sincere.
Something in his voice eased her nerves.
"Come here," he said softly.
This time, Reina didn't hesitate.
She stepped closer, rising on her toes to meet him. Their lips met—uncertain at first, then warmer, deeper, as if they were both learning each other all over again.
Rui's arms wrapped around her, steady and strong, grounding her as the last of her nervousness began to fade.
"Do you trust me?" he asked quietly against her lips.
Reina nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes… husband."
That was all he needed.
He lifted her gently, carrying her back to the bed as if she were something precious. The world seemed to narrow to just the two of them—their breaths, their closeness, the quiet understanding building between them.
Every touch that followed was slower now, more deliberate—less about urgency, more about reassurance.
"Tell me if you want me to stop," he murmured, brushing her hair aside.
"I won't," she replied, her fingers tightening slightly against him.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Then stay with me," he said.
As his forehead rested briefly against hers, Reina closed her eyes—not out of fear this time, but trust.
The night stretched quietly around them, their whispers fading into soft breaths, their distance dissolving completely—
—and everything else slipped gently into silence.