There was a sharp inhale in that space, fractionally small. Neria's gaze flicked up to his face only once.

Then, with intimate care, she brought both hands up to his face. Her thumbs drifted over his cheeks, impossibly tender, as she closed the gap once more, too tempted to pull away now. But her fingers, curving past his cheeks and into his hair, latched tightly in juxtaposition to that softer touch, encouraging.

Neria kissed him with fervency this time, with relief that he had given her verbal permission, and did not let go.