POV: Jasmine
Like a child happy to show his parents his first painting, Cory brought his hands forward, handing me a rose flower. It was just a single red rose, while he had a small bag in the other hand.
It wasn't extravagant, but I knew it had cost him some money, which I know he didn't really have. And that alone made my chest tighten.
I stood up and hurried toward him. He had little to give, yet he gave it anyway, desperate to please me in the only ways he could. How could I not honor that? It would be wrong of me to make him feel any less of a man who was desperate to please a woman.
Slipping my arms around him, I pressed close, absorbing the quiet warmth of his lean frame. He smelled of faint cologne and comfort wrapped in simplicity.
"Thank you, Cory." I murmured, smiling as I took the gifts from his hands.
Cory's gaze softened when my fingers brushed against his.
Then, before I could react, he stepped closer.
