"Your hands are shaking," he observed quietly.
His brows pulled together as he leaned slightly closer. "Are you scared?"
She shook her head immediately, almost too quickly.
"No. No… it's not that," she said hurriedly. "I… it's just… I'm nervous and"
Her voice faltered.
She glanced up at him through her lashes before quickly looking away again.
"E–excited," she finished in a small, trembling whisper.
Something shifted in his expression.
His grip tightened around her wrist as he pulled her closer. She instinctively clutched the towel around herself with her free hand just as his mouth captured hers again.
This time the kiss was different.
Gentler.
Tender.
And despite everything that had already happened, Jacqueline still struggled to believe this moment was real.
After a moment, Damien broke the kiss. He lifted her hand slowly and pressed a soft kiss to her palm.
Her breath caught in her throat.
