Tristan’s kiss was a claim, deep and consuming, as he lowered her gently onto the bed. When he stood to strip away his clothes, his gaze never wavered; it was heavy, anchored to her with a raw intensity that made the air in the room feel thin. This was the precipice for them both—the first time, a shared transition from innocence into something far more primal. Taunie felt the heat of embarrassment flush her skin, yet it was drowned out by a surging, magnetic pull of intrigue.
He returned to her side, his movements deliberate. Grabbing her leg, he slid her shoe off and pressed his lips to the arch of her foot. He traced the line of her calf with his hand, his touch reverent as he savored her scent and the silk of her skin. After removing the other shoe, he focused on her feet and toes, hi
