Page 106 of No Need to Run

---

His fingers lightly brush against my arm, warm and careful. Like he’s waiting to see what I’ll do.

I don’t move.

His thumb shifts, grazing just slightly higher.

My breath catches—soft, quiet—but he hears it.

His eyes darken. “Is this okay?” he asks, his voice just above a whisper.

The question makes something inside me unravel in the best way.

“Yes,” I breathe.

That’s all he needs.

His hand slides gently to my waist, pulling me just a fraction closer.

I rest my hand against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm beneath my palm.

His gaze drops to my lips, then back to my eyes. Like he’s asking permission.

I don’t make him wait. I close the distance.

The kiss is softer than before. Slower. But no less consuming.

For a second, I let myself have this.

No planning.

No strategy.

Just him.

Just this.

It won’t last.

But I take it anyway.

His hand tightens slightly at my waist, like he’s holding himself in place. Like he doesn’t trust himself not to take more.

I like that. I like knowing he wants to.

I pull back just enough to breathe, my lips still brushing his.

His forehead rests lightly against mine.

“Violet…” he murmurs.

My name sounds different when he says it like that. Warm and raspy.

I smile faintly. “Yes?”

He exhales softly, like he’s trying to find something to say—and failing.

Then he shakes his head slightly. "Nothing."

I smile.

---