Tender and Warm

Lia allowed him to lead her back inside, his hand still resting lightly around her waist as they navigated off the balcony.

Inside, the dimly lit sitting area offered a plush couch, surrounded by soft shadows that made the room feel secluded, intimate. She glanced back at the balcony and then at him, her pulse quickening. 

"Here," he said, gesturing toward the couch, his voice warm. She slipped her shoes off and settled into the corner, folding her legs under her, and he joined her, stretching his arm along the back of the couch so that his fingertips just brushed her shoulder.

He refilled her glass, watching her with a calm curiosity as she took another sip, then his own. They let the warmth of the drink settle between them, the rich, smooth burn adding a pleasant hum in Lia's already blurred head. 

He smiled, a warm, understanding look in his eyes. "So, you're usually the one making sure everyone else is behaving, huh?" 

"Pretty much." She laughed softly, then glanced down, swirling her glass, watching the liquid catch the light. "But tonight…I guess it'd be good to let go a little." 

His gaze softened, lingering on her face, and she found herself wanting to look away yet captivated by the gentle sincerity in his eyes. Something told her he wasn't often that way.

"That's good," he murmured, shifting closer so that their knees nearly touched. "Sometimes it's nice to let the world fall away for a little while." 

They fell into silence, and Lia found her ears tingling and losing sensation as the alcohol really set in.

They sipped their drinks, each sip adding another layer of warmth to the air between them, and eventually, she leaned her head back against his arm. His fingers brushed her shoulder again, this time lingering a moment longer, and she felt her skin tingle in response. 

Her hand, almost of its own accord, reached out, her fingertips brushing against his. The gesture was tentative, like a cat testing the waters, gently pawing at them.

Without breaking eye contact, he took her hand in his, his thumb tracing small circles on her palm. She found herself leaning into him, her eyes drifting to his lips, her body drawn closer almost of its own accord. 

He didn't even hesitate for a moment, a smile flickering across his face before he leaned in, his lips brushing hers softly, tentatively, as though savoring the moment. The kiss was gentle at first, a soft press of lips that lingered, but with each beat, it deepened, becoming more insistent, more consuming as if he wanted to devour her whole being. 

She felt his hand at the back of her neck, guiding her closer as his other hand came to rest on her waist, pulling her against him. Her hand found its way to his shoulder, gripping the fabric of his shirt as if anchoring herself. The warmth between them intensified with each kiss, each touch, and she could feel her heart pounding as her body responded to his every movement. 

They broke apart, breathless, and she realized her glass had tipped in the heat of the moment, leaving a small puddle on the floor. She laughed softly, a little embarrassed, but he just shook his head, his eyes warm and amused.

"I think I can forgive that," he murmured, reaching over to set the glass aside, then pulled her back into his arms.

He tilted his own glass into her mouth as if to give her a sip. Lia wrapped her small hands around the glass, receiving, before the alcohol in her mouth was stolen by the rogue beneath her in a slow kiss.

As they relaxed, their kisses became slower, softer. Each heartbeat made Lia worry the man could feel her heart exploding out of her chest.

Instead, he pulled her closer so that she was nestled against his chest, her head resting on his shoulder. She felt his hand smoothing over her hair, gentle and reassuring, and she allowed herself to melt into the warmth of his embrace. 

She wasn't sure how much time passed as they sat like that but Lia's whole body felt warm and safe. Eventually, though, he spoke, his voice a gentle murmur. "What if we just stayed like this?" 

She looked up, catching the sincerity in his gaze. His expression held no hint of teasing or pretense, and the depth of it took her by surprise. 

"I wouldn't mind that," she whispered back, a soft smile tugging at her lips.

He leaned in, capturing her mouth in another lingering kiss. She felt his hand on her cheek, his fingers tracing along her jaw, each touch leaving a trail of warmth. The kiss deepened, and she found herself sinking into it, letting herself be consumed. 

Lia's fingers trailed up his arm, over his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin through the fabric, and he responded by pulling her closer, his hand sliding down her back in a way that made her breath hitch.

"You're trouble," he whispered, his voice deep but filled with a hint of warmth.

She felt his chest rise and fall beneath her hand, his breathing as uneven as hers, and she smiled, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction in knowing that he was just as affected by this as she was.

Lia laughed, the sound soft and breathy. "You're not exactly making it easy for me to behave, either."

He nodded, though his fingers lingered on her arm for a moment longer. "Yeah… probably," he agreed, his voice soft.He brushed a thumb over her cheek, and she leaned into the touch, savoring the warmth of his hand.

"Thank you," she whispered, though she wasn't sure what she was thanking him for.

He smiled, his gaze soft, thoughtful. "Don't thank me. Just stay."

Lia nodded gently with a smile, before leaning back in for another alcohol infused kiss. Her cheeks were rosy from blushing and all the alcohol she'd downed, but she knew exactly what she wanted.

"I will."