and then it hit her

CHARLOTTE

At the point of contact, my knees damn near gave out on me.

It was soft, and gentle. Just like the feel of his lips on mine.

I reveled in it.

But it still didn’t stop me from noticing how rigid Taide had gone.

He remained frozen and immobile.

Part of me understood it; I caught him off guard. But I was too taken by the feel of his lips on mine to stop or pull away.

Right then, it felt like everything that had happened around me was leading to this exact moment.

His hands hovered at my sides as though he didn’t know what to do with them, as if he was afraid that the moment he touched me, I’d flinch back and break away from this.

I could feel his surprise, confusion, and reluctant restraint. But more than anything, I could feel the desire that was starting to match my own.

And maybe that’s what gave me the confidence I needed.

I raised my trembling hands to his face and gently cupped his jaw. My movements felt like they mostly weren’t mine, merely actions fueled by a mix of de