Ella pressed her lips more firmly against his. The contact sent a shiver through her body—not of fear, but of release.
Her fingers, uncertain, reached up and rested on his chest.
His body was warm and steady beneath her hands, and when his own hands finally moved—slowly, cautiously—they found her waist, resting there with a quiet strength.
Ross responded with just enough pressure to let her know he was present, that he accepted her kiss, but he let her set the pace.
Ella felt a soft gasp escape her lips as his mouth moved gently against hers.
Her nerves had not disappeared entirely, but they were melting, little by little, beneath the warmth of the moment.
She let her eyes flutter shut, focusing only on the feeling—the heat between them, the quiet hum building beneath her skin.
She pulled away slowly, just a breath's distance, her lips tingling. Her eyes opened, meeting his.
"I want this," she said softly.
