A few minutes passed before Yena rested her head directly on his shoulder.
It wasn't an accidental brush of her body like the previous night.
She settled into the curve of his neck on purpose, letting her guard down completely for the first time since they met.
Emboldened by her silent invitation, Kai wrapped his arm entirely around her waist beneath the warm wool.
His fingers found the soft curve of her hip resting just above her leather belt.
He slowly traced small circles against her skin, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breathing beneath his touch.
'She's hot. Her skin's burning.'
The proximity made his heart beat faster, and the familiar scent of wild sage and sweat clinging to her skin filled his senses.
Yena shifted her weight slightly, and her breathing hitched just a fraction of a second.
She didn't pull away from his roaming hand, but she turned her face toward his ear.
