Step into love

A Moment

storm had knocked out the power, and the only thing that disturbed the silence of the moment was the even hum of rain against the wi

nd yet Ava could feel that something had subtly shifted between them: the way his eyes lingered a little longer on her

ng the silence. His voice was low

ed to keep things light. "Please. You th

rich, sending a shiver down h

de how much his presence was affe

he leaned forward on his elbows, resting upon hi

him. Perhaps it was the storm outside, the poor light, or perhaps it was because they were well and t

onely," she said softly, and her eyes fell to

n his jaw tensed and something immeasurable crossed his face. He looke

ttered. "I un

oked up startled to find Ethan wasn't looking at her but wa

r. Ava swallowed hard, trying to press down the sudden surge of emotion rushing inside of her. Why was i

utside. Ava winced. The racing in her heart came with the growing storm outside. She had

asked-s

ent a jolt of electricity racing through her, and in that instant, everything else receded-storm, outside w

ious, to keep him at arm's length, but sitting here with Ethan

d; her voice was weak ag

rcles on the back of her hand. His touch was light, yet it sen

, his eyes ablaze with int

s really asking-if she was okay with this, with the way things were shifting

admitted, her voic

ough to reveal the boy beneath-the boy that had been hurt much the same

d, the depth of his voice barely

all that outside world faded into a silent hum in the background. This

into her face. It was the touch of his skin against hers, that little hi

choed through the house, and they were released back into reality once again. Ava ju

eath. Popping to his fee

ppened? She put a shaking hand to her lips, the

r, her heart still racing. Whatever this was between them, it wasn't

something in the way he looked at her tonight-something different, warmer, more intense. She wondered if he too co

e was, the presence that always overwhelmed her senses-just the smell of his cologne intoxicated her, every breath she took. H

She looked up to find his gaze darkened, the expression u

she had intended, a clear betray

hisper as he broke the silence. "Do you ever wonder w

ven sure how to respond, if he'd meant to imply what she thought he had-

many years actively suppressing that feeling for him, telling herself it was wrong, but hearing th

leaned in a little bit more into her, and she felt the warmth radiating from him. Too much tension, too much pro

g would tear his world apart. His voice was raw, almost imploring. It was a side of Ethan

against her chest, her resolve slowly weakening. Was it truly possible this was somethin