A Piece of Me

DANE

The moment their lips touched—so softly—he was trembling, a bubble of something bright and fragile expanding in his chest bursting open when she whispered his name and opened her mouth against his. They both stopped breathing as their lips brushed once, then again, slowly, featherlight.

He didn't close his eyes—he couldn't, terrified that she would disappear. He raised a shaking hand to her face and let his fingers trace her cheek, then slide to her neck, cupping her jaw.

Lila had locked eyes with him and when he touched her, her hands came up to his chest.

He hesitated and pulled away just far enough to whisper against her lips. "Are you… Lila, is this okay?"

Then she gasped, "Dane!" fisted his shirt, and yanked him in, her breath coming on a sob as she kissed him like he was oxygen.