He froze. The rhythm stilled, the air between them shifting in an instant. His grip loosened, and the fire in his eyes flickered into something else , concern. Wait… did Jacob and she never-?
His thumb brushed her cheek as if she might shatter under his touch. “Violet…” His voice was low, hesitant. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Every movement slowed. The urgency that had been driving him moments ago melted into deliberate care. “Do you want me to stop?” he asked softly, his tone almost too gentle for the heat still burning between them.
“Did I hurt you?”
He was still inside her warmth, but the thought of her discomfort cut through the haze of desire like ice water. His eyes roamed over her face, tracing every flicker, every shadow of pain.
If he’d known this was her first time, he
