Night time finally came.
I pulled Elise under the big tree and kept my hands gentle.
"Hey. Look at me."
Elise's eyes met mine. She was tense as hell—shoulders tight, breathing too shallow. The sealed ground was only a few feet away, and the moon sat heavy over us both.
"You're shaking," I said. "Breathe. We're doing this together. Nothing's rushing us yet. Come here."
I kissed her slowly. Soft at first. Just lips. Then deeper, tasting her, letting my tongue slide against hers until some of the stiffness left her body. My hands stayed on her waist, thumbs stroking small circles under her shirt.
"That's it," I murmured against her mouth. "Just feel me."
I kissed along her jaw and down the side of her neck, careful of the spot I already knew I'd mark later.
She tilted her head and let out a quiet breath. I kept teasing—light nips, open-mouthed kisses, the kind that made her lean into me instead of brace for impact.
