Chapter 135

Their close proximity allowed Stephen's heated breaths to fan across Tessa's neck while the woody scent of his cologne burrowed deep into her senses. Tessa suddenly tensed as her breathing quickened. Stephen had been staring at her lips ever since he finished speaking. He lowered his eyes before finally pressing his lips against hers. His lips were soft and warm against hers. He kissed her gently, his touch feather-light. "So sweet," he murmured. Tessa could feel her heart hammering against her chest. Unbeknownst to her, her breathing had turned shallow. She lay motionless on the bed, too nervous to move even a single muscle. The reward that Stephen was referring to, did he perhaps want to… She was inexperienced with such things, which made her anxiety spike. She was certain that her heart was going to beat right out of her chest soon. Noticing Tessa's panic, Stephen pulled away from her lips. He chuckled lightly before saying, "Relax, Tess. It's not like I'm going to eat you up."