His fingers close around mine.Warm.Steady.His thumb strokes across my knuckles in a gentle rhythm.
I shift closer.Not much, just enough that our knees touch.
"I don't want to be alone tonight," I say quietly."I know that's?—"
"It's not anything.You don't have to explain."
I lean into him.Rest my head against his shoulder.Feel his arm come around me, careful and protective.
We sit like that for a long time.Just breathing.Just being.
Then I lift my head and look up at him, and the air between us shifts.
His eyes drop to my mouth.Back up.Asking permission without words.
I lean in.
The kiss is soft, tentative, like we're both afraid of breaking something fragile.
But then I press closer, and he responds, and suddenly it's not tentative anymore.
It's need.Want.Raw.
I pull back slightly, breathing hard."I want this.I want you.Is that okay?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Enya—"
"I'm sure."
I stand, holding out my hand.He takes it and follows me down the hallway to my bedroom.
My heart's pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat.Every step is a choice.Every moment I could turn back.
But I don't want to turn back.
I want this.I want him.
Inside my room, I close the door even though we're alone.Just a habit.Creating a space that feels safe.
Tank stands near the bed, hands at his sides, watching me.Waiting.
"I'm nervous," I admit.
"We can stop.Any time."
"I don't want to stop.I'm just..."I take a breath."It's been a long time since I felt safe enough to want this."
Understanding crosses his face."We go as slow as you need."
I move closer, reach up, touch his jaw.Feel the scratch of stubble under my palm.He closes his eyes, leans into the touch.
"You're different," I whisper."From him.From anyone."
"Good different?"
