A moment later, his hand closed gently over hers where it rested on the ground, warm and steady.

His other hand rose to her cheek, his thumb brushing in a slow, careful sweep, a touch so tender her breath caught.

Her eyes lifted to his, drawn by the nearness of him and the quiet certainty in those grey-blue eyes.

“Yes,” he murmured. “Right here.”

Before she could breathe another word, he leaned in and pressed his mouth to hers—a soft, tentative beginning that deepened only when she didn’t pull away, the kiss gentle and full of every unspoken moment between them.