Carson’s control was hanging by a thread. “Nora, you’ve been through a lot today. You’re vulnerable. I don’t want to take advantage—”
“You’re not. I’m choosing this. Choosing you.” Her eyes were clear. Certain. “Kiss me, Carson. Please.”
He should say no. Should maintain boundaries. Should do the professional thing.
But looking at her—brave and scared and trusting him with so much more than her safety—Carson couldn’t deny her. Couldn’t deny himself.
He kissed her.
This time it wasn’t hesitant or questioning. This time it was claiming. Promising. Everything he’d been holding back pouring into the kiss.
Nora responded immediately, her hands sliding up to his neck, pulling him closer. She made that small sound in her throat that drove him crazy, and Carson’s control shattered completely.
His hands moved to her waist, pulling her flush against him. She fit perfectly there, like she was made for his arms. Her lips were soft and urgent, and the way she kissed him back—like she’d been waiting for this, wanting this—made heat race through his veins.
This was everything he’d tried not to want. Everything he’d been denying himself.
And it was so much better thanhe’d imagined.
Nora’s fingers threaded through his hair, and Carson groaned against her mouth. He walked her backward until her legs hit the bed, never breaking the kiss.
“Carson,” she breathed against his lips.
“Tell me to stop.” His voice was rough. Desperate. “Tell me this is too fast and I’ll stop right now.”
“Don’t stop.” She pulled him down with her as she sat on the bed. “Don’t you dare stop.”
***
Nora had forgotten what it felt like to want something this badly.
Years of anxiety and fear had taught her to be careful. To hold back. To never let herself be vulnerable enough to get hurt.
But Carson made her want to take the risk.
His kiss was consuming—not gentle or tentative, but fierce and possessive in a way that made her feel claimed. Wanted. Safe enough to let go of all the walls she’d built.
She pulled him closer, needing him nearer, needing to feel his solid warmth against her. His hands were on her waist, grounding her, anchoring her to this moment.
“Nora.” He pulled back slightly, breathing hard. “We should slow down. You’ve been through hell today. I don’t want you to do something you’ll regret.”
“The only thing I’d regret is if you pulled away again.” She cupped his face, making him look at her. “I know what I want. And I want you.”
Something in his expression shifted—the last of his resistance crumbling. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
He kissed her again, deeper this time, with an intensity that stole her breath. His hands moved from her waist to her back, pulling her even closer as he shifted onto the bed beside her.
Nora had been kissed before. Had been in relationships. But nothing had ever felt like this. Like every nerve ending was alive, like her whole body was tuned to his frequency.
Carson’s mouth moved from her lips to her jaw, trailing kisses down to the sensitive spot below her ear. Nora gasped, her fingers digging into his shoulders.
“Still okay?” he murmured against her skin.
“More than okay.”
His hand slid under the hem of her sweater, palm warm against her ribcage. Nora arched into the touch, wanting more, needing—
