Elaine eased me back onto the bed, the mattress dipping under our weight as she hovered over me for a brief second, close enough that I could feel the warmth of her body but not so close that I felt trapped. Her hair fell forward over one shoulder, and her expression had shifted into something careful, almost uncertain.
She kissed me, and after that first startled moment, I let myself soften into it. It was still unfamiliar, still enough to make my pulse jump, but it no longer felt like a challenge or a weapon. It felt slower. Gentler.
When she pulled back just enough to look at me, her voice was low. "Alexander, I will be gentle with you."
I gave a small nod, my throat suddenly tight. "Will you?"
"Of course I will," she said, and this time her mouth curved faintly. "You don't need to look so suspicious."
A quiet, reluctant laugh escaped me. "I can't help it."
Her thumb brushed lightly near my cheek, not quite touching. "My little petal."
