Evelyn's heart was racing, and she dared not move, trying to look calm.
While Axel... He didn't say anything at first, just held her close, his chin resting lightly on her shoulder.
She could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her back, the heat of his chest, the way his breath brushed against her neck.
After a few more seconds, he asked, "How's that? Better?"
"Hmm…" Evelyn tried to sound calm, but her mind betrayed her. "I feel…HOT…I mean, burned. Not hot, burned."
Axel chuckled softly.
"That's not my fault."
"It absolutely is."
"Really?"
"Completely."
"Then I guess I shouldn't stop."
Evelyn turned slightly to glare at him, but the smirk on his lips was so disarming that she almost forgot what she was going to say.
"Okay... Let's say your silence means... continues," he said playfully, embracing her tightly.
The silence that followed felt warm, filled with unspoken words and the sound of wind whispering through the trees.
