At that moment, the dark shadows in his irises seemed to clear a little, and Eve even thought she recognized the hint of a tiny smile on his lips.

"Thank you," his voice murmured softly and so low that she hardly recognized it. It was filled with countless feelings and thoughts, but they were reserved for him alone.

Eve expected him to let go of her and the cool distance between them to spill over again. But Ray did nothing of the sort. Instead, he didn't let her go, and with every heartbeat that dragged out the moment, the air between them seemed to grow heavier. It felt like the crackle in the air before an approaching storm.

Ray's gaze dropped lower from her eyes, and her pulse quickened as her thoughts were simply wiped away.

The young mother felt a hand move higher up her back. Suddenly, she became aware of every touch, every inch that her body touched his. Inevitably, a bitter taste of shame rose inside her. Ray was trained, his body defined... But her? No matter how many times Riona lovingly described her as a sweet cinnamon roll, it didn't change the fact that she had more curves than needed. More than most men liked or found beautiful. Let alone - and this was perhaps the biggest problem - herself.

'You could do a little more exercise,' the dark voice of her past rang in her head, and her throat tightened as if there was a snake around it, slowly squeezing. How did sometimes words that hurt you and left wounds in your self-confidence and self-esteem weigh so much heavier than those that wanted to build you up?

"I'd love to," she breathed, but it sounded thin.

Something inside her wanted to back away, whimpering, before she might have to recognize disgust in his eyes. She wanted to be the one who sought the distance before he pushed her away, and it only ended up hurting more.

But instead, his fingers slid over her waist, the shape of her body, without shyness, hesitation, or restraint. Just gently groping, it sent goose bumps over her body with a quivering breath. Something inside her wanted to meet him. Another part wanted to jump away. She felt like a hare in front of a hunter, frozen and undecided whether the moment to pounce had come or passed.

His scent was so intense that it enveloped her senses, and damn - he smelled so good. She felt every touch intensely, almost as if in slow motion. The way the warmth of his fingers stroked up her spine until his fingers dipped into the blonde curls and found her neck. The sensation suddenly sent little sparks like buzzing bees into her pulse and belly. She felt like she was piles of pennies, and he... he was a magnet that drew her in so strongly that it took her breath away.

And then there was nothing between them. Ray leaned forward, giving her time to back away.... if she wanted to. But Eve did nothing of the sort. She stayed where she was, in his arms. When their lips finally touched, time seemed to stand still for a heartbeat. The small, whispering voice in her head that he was seeking comfort and whether that wasn't a mistake fell silent instantly.

His lips were soft and warm. They stroked her mouth very gently, caressing it and allowing her to get used to the feeling. Eve didn't know whether he didn't want to overwhelm her or was perhaps unsure of himself. It was a gentle, careful kiss. Slowly, he pulled back. Just millimeters and his gray-blue eyes found hers, searching for a wordless answer to an unspoken question. Waiting, watching...

Her mouth was dry, and Eve's cheeks glowed. Eve was almost sure he simply had to hear her wild heartbeat. She hadn't given away many kisses in her life, and right now, she felt like a girl in math class who the football team captain had unexpectedly kissed at the prom.

"Ray..."

His lips twisted into a smirk when she whispered his name so hoarsely. It was probably all the overwhelmed shyness she couldn't put into words. But maybe it only sounded like that to her. Because at the same time, there was a hidden tenderness like mild honey - which was answer enough for him.

Ray pulled her more clearly into his arms, and her eyelashes fluttered. Unyielding, the former soldier's body now welcomed the soft curves, and the dark shadows seemed wiped away from his eyes. Just like every clear thought in her mind.

It all seemed so unreal to her.

Strong arms wrapped around Eve as she sank against him, pulling her into a tight embrace that took her breath away in more ways than one. Ray let out a dark growl that vibrated against her lips. Enjoying the way she came against him instead of pushing him away, he let her close her eyes before his lips finally grabbed her more greedily. Not too impetuously or roughly. He kissed her with deliberation and desire, hiding a masculine hunger behind a small curve that flattered Eve as much as it made her nervous.

It had been a long time since she had been kissed like this. Or that she had given a kiss at all. She felt awkward, but her body reacted on its own. Like crystal that was nudged and created a resonance on its own. Ray gripped her mouth tighter, sucked tenderly on her lower lip for a moment, and stroked it with his tongue, both patient and inviting. Her fingers twitched on his shoulders, and suddenly, she just couldn't seem to hold still while her whole body was electrified.

Although her hands were trembling, they fumbled over the curve of his shoulders and neck, tangling in the dark waves of his hair as if she could find support in them. Everything was spinning, and Eve thought this kiss was turning her world upside down. His warmth enveloped her, Ray held her tightly against him, and Eve finally opened her lips under the wild throbbing in her chest.

She hesitantly approached him with the tip of her tongue, nudging against his, and a dark hum of satisfaction vibrated from Ray's chest as only a man could. Her breath seemed to catch again. Ray's breath sloshed against her, and their tongues met in the dance of a kiss that threatened to sweep her away...

When the pounding of tiny fists on the door made her flinch like a caught teenage girl.

On reflex, she instantly pressed against Ray's chest - a little too hard because it sent them both toppling backward in opposite directions, and Eve landed on her butt with a thud. Just as the handle was pushed down, a brown mop of hair appeared at the door, and Liam poked his head into the room a moment later.

"Mum?" came Liam's questioning voice. "Can I let Chief in? He barks all the time..."

Eve's heart pounded in her throat while Liam frowned slightly. There was something suspicious in his gaze, and Eve immediately remembered his reaction to Dr. Taylor.

"What are you doing?" he asked innocently and curiously. Apparently, he wasn't quite sure what was going on.

Just as well - after all, Eve didn't understand it herself either, and, with the best will in the world, she wouldn't have had an explanation for what had just happened!

She got to her feet with considerable speed, although they felt like jelly.

"W-we fell," she stammered and heard Ray make a strange noise behind her. As she looked at him, she caught him running a hand over his lips to hold back the chuckle stuck in his throat.

Eve gave him a reproachful look, trying to ignore how hot her cheeks, ears, and... everything about her was hot as fire.

"Are you not feeling well, Ray?" Liam asked now, and she could see him crumpling his shirt in his hands in front of his body. He was obviously reproaching himself.

"He's fine, sweetheart. We just... tripped," Eve said quickly, feeling like she was trying to sell her mother a hickey as a vacuum cleaner accident. Good thing Liam was easier to lie to.

"Come on, let's let Chief in. It's time to get dinner ready, too," she said a little breathlessly as she put her hands on Liam's back and pushed him back out the door. As she left the room, she couldn't look Ray in the eye. She needed to sort herself out, and this sight wasn't really helping. Her voice still sounded treacherously raspy as she quickly threw him over the top, "Ray, you can come down when you're ready."