Page 227 of When a Soul Cries

I laughed, but the sound died when her expression crumbled just enough for me to see how deeply the moment had hit her.

“Nobody has ever…” She stopped and swallowed, blinking rapidly. “Nobody has ever thought about me like this.”

Something tightened in my chest.

I stepped closer.

“Get used to it.”

Her eyes lifted to mine.

The driveway suddenly felt too quiet.

The light above the garage caught the gloss still shining on her lips. Her cheeks were flushed from crying, her eyes slightly damp, and that damn black dress was still hugging every curve I’d spent the entire night trying not to touch.

My gaze dropped to her mouth.

When I looked back up, Sol was already watching me.

She noticed.

Her breathing changed.

So did mine.

I moved closer.

She stayed exactly where she was.

My hand lifted toward her face but stopped before touching her.

“I hope I don’t disrespect you with what I’m about to do.”

Her brows pulled together.

“What?”

I gave her one last second to move.

She didn’t.

I cupped her cheek and kissed her.

For one heartbeat, Sol froze beneath my mouth.

My chest tightened.

Then her fingers caught the front of my shirt.

And she kissed me back.

Fuck.

My other hand settled around her waist, and I pulled her closer carefully. She stumbled one small step into me, her body pressing against mine, but I kept enough restraint to give her room to pull away if she wanted.

She didn’t.

Her arms slid higher around me instead.