Izzy’s thumb lingered on my lips, tracing their shape, my breath catching in my throat. The connection was electric, pulsing in the silence, neither of us needing to speak. Slowly, his thumb moved away, and his hand cradled my face with such tenderness that I felt the weight of everything we weren’t saying.
He leaned in, his eyes flickering to mine, giving me time to pull back if I wanted to. But I didn’t. I stayed right where I was, waiting, wanting. His lips brushed against mine softly, at first—a featherlight touch, testing, searching. His lips came together on my bottom lip, gently pulling it into his. My heart pounded as I leaned into him, the kiss slowly deepening, our mouths moving together as if we had always known how.
His other hand found my waist, his fingers pressing gently b
