Eloise’ POV
It wasn’t the kiss I had dreamed of. It wasn’t the kiss I had hoped for when my heart dared to whisper foolish wishes in the quiet of the night. It was awkward, cold, and hollow, like a fragile thing forced into existence. It did not ease the storm raging inside my chest; if anything, it made it worse.
I hated it.
I hated the brief, fleeting moment when his lips touched mine, a split second that felt like it lasted an eternity yet left me feeling empty. The sensation lingered, but not in the way a cherished memory might. Instead, it clawed at me, reminding me of everything I didn’t want. I hated it so much that the very thought of it repeating again made my skin crawl.
Before I even realized what I was doing, my hand moved on its own. A sharp c***k broke the silence, and I
