Page 312 of Ruthless Court

No retreat.

My palm settles against her cheek.

Warm skin.

Soft.

My thumb traces once beneath her glasses.

“You okay?”

She nods.

Not enough.

I wait.

Her eyes hold mine.

“Yes.”

I lean in.

No urgency this time.

No frustration.

No proving anything.

My mouth touches hers softly.

Hannah inhales against me.

Her fingers curl into the front of my sweater.

I kiss her again.

Slow.

Her lips part beneath mine, and something inside me pulls tight.

I could deepen it.

I want to.

Instead, I keep my hand against her cheek and let the kiss stay exactly what it is.

Tender.

Chosen.

Hannah moves closer.

Her knee slides between mine.

The smallest sound leaves her when my thumb brushes along her jaw.

That almost destroys my restraint.