"Lyra…" His voice was a husky plea, both a warning and an invitation, the sound of it sending a rush of warmth through her.
"Show me," she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of shyness and courage. "Show me how to please you."
Casian's restraint shattered.
His hand rose, gently cradling her cheek, his thumb tracing the soft curve of her jaw. Then his lips were on hers again—no longer gentle, but fierce, hungry. His kiss stole her breath, leaving her dizzy, but even in his passion, his touch remained careful, his fingers never pressing too hard, never crossing the line she wasn't ready for.
When their lips finally parted, his forehead rested against hers, his breath mingling with hers. His gaze, a molten green, smoldered with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Stroke it," he whispered, his voice a rough command but laced with tenderness. The darkness in his eyes was pure need, but beneath it, there was trust—an unspoken promise that she was in control.
