“Experiment?”
Her cheeks darken. “It sounds awful when you say it like that.”
“It doesn’t,” I assure her. “Experiments are controlled.” I tilt my head, watching her carefully. “There are rules… parameters.”
Her mouth quirks despite herself. “You’re making this sound very scientific.”
I stay silent
She exhales, shoulders easing a fraction. “I just don’t want to… freak out again.”
“You won’t.” I lift a shoulder. “And if you do, we stop.”
Her gaze drops to my chest, lingers there like she’s bracing herself. “You’re okay with this? Even if you don’t get anything out of it? If it doesn’t go any further?”
You can do whatever you want to me.
“I’ll be getting plenty out of it.” I wink at her wanting to keep the mood light. “But you’re in control. You need to be the one to initiate it.”
I don’t move, giving her the space to decide. If she’s not ready, I’ll wait. I just hope it doesn’t take twelve years like it did for Declan.
She shifts closer, slow enough that I can see every micro-decision crossing her face. Her knee brushes mine again. This time, she leaves it there.
“Okay,” she whispers. She leans in tentatively, her lips brushing mine. I keep my hands loose at my sides, letting her dictate everything.
She pulls back, breath unsteady. “Is that… okay?”
“Yes,” I say, my voice rougher than I intend. “That’s perfect.”
Encouraged, she tries again. Longer this time. Her lips are soft, pressed against mine. I keep my eyes open watching. But when her lips slide against mine more firmly, pulling at my lower lip, the contact sends a slow, aching pulse through me, and my eyes close. I focus on my breathing. On keeping my body relaxed. On not reaching for her even though every instinct screams to pull her closer.
Her lips soften against mine, and her hand lifts to graze lightly over my stubble, before her hand settles on my jaw. My heart is pounding hard, and I’m not sure how much longer I can sit passively by. The restraint it’s taking not to deepen the kiss is borderline painful.
And then she sighs.
A perfect sound that slides straight down my spine. Her lips finally part, and I taste her then—faintly sweet, with the tangof the bourbon in our drinks—unmistakablySera. Our mouths move together, until I’ve lost all concept of time.
I wait until I feel the first careful stroke of her tongue before letting my own explore her mouth. I have no idea how long we sit there kissing. My chest is burning, and my body is begging for release, but I don’t want this kiss to end.
I slide one hand to her hip and stop there. Waiting to see how she receives the contact. Sera stiffens for a second, then relaxes when I don’t move my hand or take it any further.
I break the kiss momentarily our lips still touching. “Still okay?” I rasp against her mouth.
She nods, eyes still closed.
With a quiet hum of pleasure, she kisses me again, braver now. More demanding.
I feel it everywhere. My body responds instantly, hunger flaring hot and insistent, but I force it down, reminding myself this isn’t about what I want.
This is about her. Her limits.
When she moans, my hand clamps harder on her hip, my other hand at her waist. I move before I realize it, and her muscles lock tight beneath my palms.
Fuck.
I pull back immediately, forcing my hands to drop away. Sera is flushed, breathing hard and her eyes are dark with arousal—but there’s also fear.
“Hey,” I murmur.
