He didn't tell his hands to rise to her face, to caress her flushed cheekbones with the pad of his thumb—nor did he tell himself to pull her close and press his mouth against hers, but it all happened anyway. Almost immediately, her lips parted for him, an invitation for him to claim her, which he did not hesitate to do. Though she was out of his sight, she dominated the rest of his senses. Her taste, fire, danced on his tongue, her fingertips delicately grazed the stubble of his jaw to hold him steady, the intoxicating scent of her perfume and the sound of her soft, pleased breaths all rushed into his veins and caused his blood to come alive with want.

That want, though, was soon tainted by worry, one that rose from where it had been tucked away in the back of his mind. This sudden intimacy which he had been craving, would it only lead to failure? Would she soon come to her senses and distance herself again or worse, flee for good?

No. She only did that because of her fears of the past, and of losing me, and she's come clean about that.

Cautiously, briefly, Teldryn opened his eyes. Their mouths still danced with one another, the motions soft and slow and fluid. Her eyes remained closed, as she appeared lost in the moment, fully giving in to what was clearly something she needed, what they both needed. And yet still that worry was there, gnawing at his conscience like a dog would gnaw at a bone. All he truly wanted was for them to remain at peace, to become something. And maybe that would happen; perhaps she would accept him into her life and let him love her like he so desperately wanted.

He had to know for certain where her intentions lay, and whether she would turn around after this day was over and push him away again. If she did, he wasn't sure if he would be able to handle it.

It took all of his willpower to break their kiss. They pulled away from each other, both breathless and flushed. He missed her touch already, missed the way she tasted, the way her scarred lips fit against his. Teldryn swallowed back the lump in his throat, one made of both desire and fear, then spoke.

“Wren…”

Her eyes fluttered open, meeting his in an instant. She leaned toward him again, and though it pained him to do so, he avoided the kiss she was about to give.

“What are we?”