Kain Locke
I kissed him.
I didn't think. I couldn't.
I just... leaned in and did it.
Because if I waited even a second longer, I would've lost the courage. And maybe it was stupid—maybe I was making everything worse—but I couldn't take it anymore. Not when he looked at me like I was already gone. Not the way he kept pushing, like he thought he didn't matter.
I held onto his wrist like it was the only thing tethering me to the moment. Like if I let go, I'd sink again.
But when our lips touched, he didn't move at first.
And for one terrible, suspended second, I thought I'd just ruined everything.
Then Kael breathed in like it hurt—and kissed me back.
Not rough. Not all heat. Just... slow. Careful. Like he didn't want to scare me off as he pulled me to sit on his lap.
And I think that was what shattered me the most.
