SERAFINA
Adrik held me tighter, his hands wrapped around my waist like a shield. He kept stroking my hair, placing soft kisses on it and another against my temple. My heart fluttered in response.
“I didn’t hurt you,did i?” his voice was low and uncertain ,with a kind of softness i hadn’t heard from him before.
“No” I whispered, smiling faintly. “Just a little sore like I said earlier.”
His fingers traced slow comforting circles on my back. “I’m sorry for that Zolotse. I tried to go slow.”
“You did,” I assured him, looking up. “It was perfect.”
Our eyes met and I could see something in his—something unguarded. I caught a glimpse of something deeper, something raw.
“What?” I asked softly.
Adrik exhaled through his nose. “I’ve never—“ he paused, shaking his head as if ashamed. “I
