49
~Elara's POV
We stayed like that… just looking at each other.
His hands were still on my cheeks. My hands were still resting lightly on his chest.
And the room felt strangely quiet, almost like it was waiting with us.
I didn't know what to do with my breath. It kept catching… stopping… starting again.
His eyes searched mine, slow and careful, like he was trying to read something written behind them.
For a second, I wondered if he could actually hear my heartbeat. It felt loud enough.
He leaned a little closer. Not enough to touch me again. Just enough to make me feel the heat of him.
"Elara," he said softly, "can I… kiss you?"
The question hit me so gently, but it still shook something deep inside me.
No pressure. No command. Just a quiet request… like he needed my permission more than anything else.
My throat felt tight, so I couldn't speak.
I just nodded.
His breath brushed my lips first. Then his hand slid behind my neck, warm and slow.
