The way her voice shakes when she says my name.
The way her body fits against mine like it was made to be there.
The man I’ve been would pull back.
But I’m not him right now.
I lift my hand.
Touch her cheek. It's soft. Warm.
She leans into it like it’s the only steady thing in the room.
“Nikki. If I cross this line…” I pause, watching her. Breathing her in. “…you’ll be mine.”
She doesn’t flinch.
Doesn’t look away.
I brush her bottom lip with my thumb, slow.
“When I take something as mine, I keep it.”
The words settle between us.
Thick. Heated. Final.
She whispers, barely loud enough to catch. “Ryder… please.”
This is it. This is the moment.
Every wall I’ve kept up crumbles. And all that’s left is her.
I reach for her. No hesitation. No second thoughts.
My hand slides to the back of her neck.
She draws in a breath and leans in. Like her body already knows what mine is about to do.
Our mouths crash together.
It’s not gentle. Not controlled.
It’s wild. Starved.
My kiss tells her what I haven’t said out loud.
She’s it. She’s mine. And she tastes so good.
Like firelight and comfort.
Like something I thought I didn’t need anymore but never stopped craving.
Her fingers clutch my shirt, pulling me closer.
That soft red sweater brushes against my arms, sweet and innocent while she kisses me like she wants to be undone.
I shift, pulling her into my lap. She gasps against my mouth.
