Chapter 202

Then Trees did something no man had ever done. He lowered his head, laid his mouth over hers, and he kissed her.

Laila froze. Despite being a giant of a man, he brushed his lips over hers softly. Shock and heat flared inside her. He lingered, his warm breath on her face…then he was gone before she was ready for the kiss to end.

Trees cupped her face, skimming his thumb over her lips. “You okay?”

Why did he ask? Why did he care? “Yes.”

“Good. I’m going to kiss you again. Breathe. Relax.”

How, when her lips burned? When she was naked and acutely aware of the damp crush of his bare skin against hers?

“Laila, did you hear me?”

“Y-yes.” She didn’t trust herself to say more.

“Close your eyes,” he instructed in that velvety voice that compelled her to comply. “Good. Now breathe in deep.” When she did, he glided a gentle thumb over her cheek in silent approval. “Let it out.”

As she exhaled, tension began to leave her body.

“Again,”