Chapter 76. Shit Up and Do That Again

Ava

The room was so quiet I could hear her heartbeat, fast and rabbit quick, under the thin cotton of her shirt.

She didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

Didn’t say stop.

I took that as permission.

I shifted closer, slow as breathing, until our knees touched. Then I cupped her face with both hands, gently, reverent, the way no one had ever touched me when I needed it and brushed my lips against hers.

Once. Barely there.

A question.

She shivered, but her lips parted on a tiny exhale.

I kissed her again, softer, lingering this time, letting her taste me, letting her decide. When she kissed back, hesitant, curious, I felt it like a victory and a surrender all at once.

I kept it tender.

I kept my promise.

My thumbs stroked her cheeks as I tilted her head, deepening the kiss just enough to make her sigh into my mouth.

Her hands finally came up, not pushing, not pulling, just resting lightly on my wrists like