|| Penelope ||
"Thank you," I whispered softly in his ear, my voice barely a breath. The words felt heavier than I had anticipated, weighted with all the gratitude and emotion I hadn't known how to express until now.
Richard paused, his arms still around me, his breath catching for a heartbeat as he processed my words. He slowly pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. There was a deep, unspoken connection in his gaze — raw, searching, as if trying to read my soul.
The moment stretched between us, thick with something electric. I couldn't tear my gaze away, and he didn't look away either.
Without thinking, I felt my body moving towards him, instinct pulling me closer. I rose onto my tiptoes, my heart pounding as I placed my hands gently on his broad shoulders, feeling the so
