Miri's Pov
Caius's lips were warm, a little hesitant at first, then firmer, more certain. The soft press deepened slowly, like he was waiting for me to pull away and when I didn't, when I leaned into it without meaning to, he let go of that restraint. His hand cupped the side of my face, calloused thumb brushing my cheek. I could feel the heat of his body through our clothes, the tension rolling off him like waves finally breaking against the shore.
His mouth moved with mine—gentle at first, tasting, questioning. Then came the urgency, the barely-there groan in his throat, the tilt of his head as his lips demanded more. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and curled my fingers into his jacket. The kiss turned sharper, more consuming. It wasn't rough, but it wasn't tender anymore either. It was full of everything we'd been avoiding. Anger. Frustration. Confusion. Need.
And just as I felt my spine arch to meet him—
A slow, sarcastic clap echoed from behind us.
