“I could stay like this for a while,” she murmured.
My fingers drifted back up again, lingering at her shoulder.
Neither of us spoke.
The quiet stretched between us.
The kind of quiet where every breath felt louder than normal.
She shifted again, her face turning toward mine, and my heart started beating faster as I felt the heat of her breath closer to my mouth now.
“Nora…” I said, not even sure what I meant to say.
“Yes?” Her eyes flicked down to my lips.
Then back up.
And for a second, it felt like the whole world went still.
And then?—
She raised herself up slightly and leaned in, allowing her lips to brush against mine.
Softly.
Tentatively.
The kiss barely lasted a second before she pulled back, as if checking to see if it was okay.
But instead of answering her with words, I shifted my position until I was hovering over her, and deciding to be brave myself, I bent closer and kissed her again.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like I was still figuring out if this was real.
Her hand slid up along my jaw as the kiss deepened, our mouths parting slightly as we leaned into each other again and again.
“You’re so beautiful,” I murmured against her mouth, each kiss growing warmer.
More certain.
Less careful.
“So are you,” she breathed back, her voice barely more than a whisper.
I kissed her again, letting my hand slide along her back, pulling her closer until there was barely any space left between us.
Her lips parted slightly beneath mine, and something inside my chest warmed at the quiet invitation of it. I followed instinctively, deepening the kiss as she melted further into me.
A soft sound slipped from her throat as our mouths moved together again, slower now, exploring.
My fingers slid into her hair, cradling the back of her head as I tilted my face and kissed her more fully.
She responded immediately.
Her hands gripped my shoulders, drawing me closer as our mouths opened together, the kiss turning hungrier.