The air between them pulsed with heat and silence. Stillness wrapped around them like a cocoon, holding them in that fragile, tender place where the kiss had just been, where everything had just changed. Mae’s breath shuddered softly. Her heart raced, not from fear, but from the raw weight of what just happened, and what didn’t.
Ashar was still close. So close. His hand lingered at her neck, thumb tracing the edge of her jaw like he was memorizing the moment.
And then, he whispered. “I’m sorry.” The words broke the silence like ripples in water, gentle, but deep. Mae blinked, confused. "For what?” His gaze dropped to her lips, then back to her eyes. “That.” A pause. “I’ve wanted to do that since the auction. I want to do more, but we can't. ” Her breath caught in her throat. Her lips sti
