**Stefano’s POV**
It was barely a kiss; it was more like a ghost of a touch, a brush of lips so light I thought I might have imagined it. I froze. My breath hitched in my lungs, and every muscle in my body turned to stone. I wanted to pull her closer, to devour her, but I forced myself to stay still. I had to let her set the pace. I had to let her decide if this was what she truly wanted.
Her lips were softer than I remembered, or maybe I’d forgotten what it was like to be touched like this, with something so hesitant, so innocent. It made my chest ache.
I didn’t pull away or deepen the kiss. I just lay there, my eyes closed, letting her explore me. Her mouth moved against mine in small, uncertain motions. Her breath was warm and shaky, puffing against my skin in short gasps. She taste
