"No one will know but us," he said, voice roughened now, edged with something fierce.

Her lips parted, a thousand protests tangled in her chest, but only one word found its way out-soft, trembling, powerless.

"Yes."

The air tightened, snapping like a thread stretched too far.

Then his lips found hers.

Not a stolen brush this time, but a slow, lingering press, tender yet unyielding.

He kissed her like it was dangerous, like it could unravel everything, and still he deepened it-his ...