Cornelia's POV
The question had escaped my lips before I could stop it, and now Caleb stared at me with obvious surprise. He recovered quickly though, shifting to face me directly while I remained frozen in place. My pulse hammered against my throat. Whatever surge of courage had possessed me to speak those words had vanished completely, leaving me breathless and wide-eyed.
His palm found my cheek with infinite gentleness, as if I might shatter under too much pressure. His thumb traced along my cheekbone while his intense gaze held mine captive. "Do you still want me to kiss you?" The words came out barely above a whisper, his warm breath ghosting across my mouth.
"Yes." The word emerged as nothing more than exhaled air.
He moved closer with deliberate slowness, clearly offering me every opportunity to retreat. But retreat was the furthest thing from my mind.
