Davian shifted slightly, causing his shoulder to brush against her cheek. Grace tilted her head to look up at him, and found his eyes already fixed on her face. There was something raw in his gaze, something that made her stomach flip and her breath to catch.
"Grace," he called her name like a plea, and his voice was rough with restraint.
"Yes?" She replied softly, her own voice coming barely above a whisper.
His eyes flicked to her lips, then back to her eyes. She saw the war he was fighting within himself - the hesitation, the doubt, the need. And then, as if some unseen force pushed him forward, he leaned in.
Her heart felt like it was going to burst as she closed her eyes the very moment his lips found hers. That mere contact was enough for her to completely melt against him. One of her hands moved to rest against his chest as she returned the kiss.
His lips were warm and soft, and the world seemed to fade away as they completely melted into each other.
The kiss deepened and his hand moved to cup her cheek as he tilted her head to better align with his. Grace felt a warmth spread through her, a sensation so unique and fulfilling - something she had begun to enjoy since recently. It wasn’t just the physical act of kissing - it was the vulnerability, the raw desire, and the intense emotions behind it.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing heavily.
He pressed his forehead against hers and inhaled deeply, giving their lungs a little break before he was crashing his lips against hers once again.
This time, the kiss wasn’t tentative. It wasn’t careful or restrained. It was hungry, urgent, as though the dam he had built between them had finally burst.
Grace responded instantly, her hands moved up to grip his shirt to pull him closer. Her heart was pounding wildly as his lips claimed hers. Each kiss waa more fervent than the last. There was no hesitation now, no holding back.
His hands found their way around her waist, and his fingers dug into her sides as though he was afraid she might slip away. The intensity of his touch sent a jolt of heat coursing through her, igniting something deep and primal within her.
She let out a soft gasp as his lips trailed from her mouth to her jaw, then down to the curve of her neck.
"Davian," she breathed his name. Her voice was shaky but filled with longing that she was feeling for him.
Her name on his lips was a low growl as he pulled back just enough to look at her. "Tell me to stop," he said in a strained voice. "If this isn’t what you want, tell me now."
Grace’s chest heaved as she met his gaze, already making up her mind. She was tired of running. "Don’t stop," she said firmly. "I don’t want you to stop."
That was all the confirmation he needed.
In one swift motion, he pulled her toward the couch before sitting down and pulling her onto his lap. His hands on her waist kept her firmly in place.
Grace’s legs straddled his hips as their lips crashed together once more. She could feel the tension in his body, the strength in his arms as they wrapped around her, holding her as though she was the only thing tethering him to reality.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling on them slightly as his kisses grew more insistent. He responded with a low groan, the sound vibrating against her lips and sent shivers down her spine.
His hands roamed over her back, her sides, exploring her curves with a reverence that left her breathless. Every touch, every caress, felt like a promise - a vow of the pleasure he would make her feel if they didn’t stop.
Grace’s own hands didn’t sit idle. She let them wander, tracing the hard lines of his shoulders and chest over the silk shirt, while feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips.
"Grace," he murmured against her lips. His voice was filled with a mix of desire and desperation.
"Davian," she replied in a voice that was equally fervent.
Their breaths mingled as they pulled apart just enough to look at each other. His eyes had turned ever darker if possible and they looked wild as he looked at her. She knew hers must look the same, filled with the same unrelenting hunger.
He pressed his forehead against hers while his hands slid to her hips. "I don’t want to rush this," he said. His voice was barely above a whisper. "But I can’t-"
"You are not rushing," she interrupted, cupping his face in her hands. "This is what I want. This is what we want. Nothing else matters right now."
Her words seemed to break whatever restraint he had left.
With a deep growl, he stood and lifted her effortlessly. Grace wasted no time and immediately wrapped her legs around his waist. Her breath hitched as he carried her toward the bedroom while his lips never left hers even for a second.
The world outside ceased to exist for the two of them. The weight of their shared fears, the looming threat of the apocalypse, all of it faded into nothingness. In that moment, there was only him, only her, and the fire that burned between them.
Davian kicked the door of the bedroom open with his foot, stepping inside before gently setting her down. Grace looked up at him as her chest rose and fell with every breath. When he looked at her, his expression was a mix of tenderness and unbridled passion.
He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face, his hand trembling slightly in the process. "You are beautiful," he said in a voice that was raw with emotion.
She felt her cheeks warm up, but she didn’t look away. "So are you," she responded in a soft but steady voice, speaking nothing but her honest thoughts.
In response, he leaned in again and his lips captured hers in a kiss that was slower this time, just as deliberate as their first kiss.