Denzel’s hand cradled the back of her neck, while his other arm pulled her waist flush against him.
Meanwhile, Juniper’s hands shifted from his shoulders to lock securely behind his neck. The heat of his body and the intoxicating surge of his pheromones enveloped her, the scent of cedarwood intensifying until it was all she could focus on.
They eventually pulled apart, completely breathless.
As Juniper settled back onto her heels, her gaze drifted to the pulse point at his throat, mesmerizing her for a few lingering seconds.
Denzel took the initiative this time, his fingers gently lifting her chin until their eyes locked.
"I didn’t think this would happen today," he confessed, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. "I’ve been wanting to kiss you for a long time, but I couldn’t find the courage."
"Why?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"I was scared," he admitted.
Juniper arched a brow, her expression softening. "Scared of me?"
Denzel shook his head, a vulnerable, honest look crossing his features. "No. Scared that I would ruin it. I mean... You’ll hate me for kissing you out of the blue."
Juniper chuckled, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his lips once more. "Let’s eat before the pizza gets cold." She pulled away, her heart hammering against her ribs, and moved toward the couch.
Denzel followed, sitting beside her and popping open the pizza box. He carefully sprinkled chili flakes over the slices and handed one to Juniper, only then realizing he’d forgotten the plates.
"Wait a sec!" He jogged to the kitchen, returning moments later with two plates and a bottle of Coke. Juniper took the plate he offered, and they settled in, finally eating and simply enjoying the quiet of being together.
~~~~~
The next morning, Juniper woke up early and after freshening up, she stood in the balcony of her room, looking at the horizon which was orange red.
For months, her life had felt like a relentless storm. The world had been cruel, stripping away her confidence until she convinced herself that kindness was a luxury she didn’t deserve, and love was a fantasy she had long since stopped believing in.
But yesterday... yesterday had broken the pattern.
She closed her eyes, remembering the way Denzel had looked at her in the pottery studio. It wasn’t just that he was attentive; it was that he truly heard her.
Every word she spoke was treated with value rather than met with the dismissive counters she was so accustomed to.
She had laughed until her sides ached when Denzel told her about his early days at the training. It was the first time in an eternity that she hadn’t felt the need to brace herself for an argument or a confrontation.
The warmth filled her entirely and it was a contrast to the cold isolation she had lived in for so long. "I won’t let this love go," she whispered.


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