Chapter 134

Her lips met his like a decision already made. It was a soft, sudden press that was both unsteady and sure. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t rehearsed. But it was real. And that was what undid Keegan.

For a heartbeat, he froze. Not out of hesitation, but awe before he began to kiss her back.

His hands found her waist, not to pull her closer, but to steady himself. As if he needed anchoring to believe this was happening. The warmth of her mouth, the trembling certainty behind it, the taste of starlight and slow healing... all of it consumed him.

But he didn’t deepen the kiss. He didn’t push, didn’t take more than what she offered...because this wasn’t about his want.

When she finally pulled back, just a breath away, her fingers still fisted in his coat, Keegan’s eyes opened slowly, dark and stunned and filled with reverence.

“Grace...” he breathed her name nearly a whisper. Like saying it too loud might scare her away.

But she didn’t run.

She did