The door clicked shut behind us.
Silence swallowed the hallway noise.
Only our breathing—uneven, too loud in the small space.
He turned to face me.
No words.
Just the slow step forward that erased the last inch between us.
My heart jumped into my throat.
I gripped the gown tighter, knuckles white.
I knew this time I wouldn’t hold back—even if I wanted to, my body wouldn’t let me.
His hand rose—gentle but sure—cupping my jaw.
Thumb tracing my lower lip like he was memorizing every millimeter of it.
Eyes dark, burning, fixed on my mouth.
Then he kissed me.
Not soft.
Not careful.
Deep, urgent, like he’d been holding it back since the second he saw me in the gown.
Like he’d been starving for this all night.
I gasped against his lips.
My toes rose instinctively.
My hands flew
