KIERAN’S POV
I had already held myself back once tonight. I stepped away when every instinct screamed to close the distance and ignore caution.
I knew what we’d agreed to. I knew we were meant to be taking this slowly.
But after everything it had taken to get here, I found I no longer had it in me to deny this moment.
Not with the way Sera looked at me, the way she molded into my arms, her body fever-warm and alive, the space between us pulsing with palpable tension.
And when she said yes, when she leaned forward, something inside my chest broke open.
I leaned in slowly at first, giving her every chance to pull away, to reconsider, to remind me that restraint was still required.
My mouth brushed against hers in a kiss so gentle it was barely there, more question than claim.
Her lips were warm, softer than memory, and when she didn’t withdraw—when she angled her head instead, a subtle invitation—I felt my control begin to fray.
