Alexander tensed the instant Mirena's lips touched his.
It had come too suddenly, too unexpectedly and the worse part, despite the fact that he was surprised, a smaller part of him, was delighted by the feeling.
Her lips were warm, yet uncertain against his.
The kiss was unpolished and unplanned, like she’d acted on instinct rather than desire.
Her fingers curled into his shirt as if she needed something solid to hold onto, something real to anchor her to the moment, and Alexander felt that grip like a brand.
He didn’t move at first. Didn’t deepen it.
He stayed perfectly still, lips pressed to hers, breathing shallow as if even the slightest movement might shatter whatever fragile thing she was clinging to.
He could feel the tremor in her body, the way her breath stu
