Willow's POV
I let out a shaky breath as I pulled away from Brax. My lips still tingled from the touch of his, but a storm of emotions swirled inside me. Would he still feel the same way if he knew everything? There was so much he didn't understand, so much I was keeping from him. Yet, here we were, each lost in our own thoughts, our bodies warming the cold space between us.
The silence stretched, and I could feel the need to break it, to spill everything. But the words wouldn't come. Instead, I focused on the small, comforting circle of warmth his hands created around mine.
"Brax," I began, unsure of how to continue. His name felt heavy on my tongue as if it carried all the fears I couldn't voice. "Things are... complicated."
He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching mine. "Willow,
