A grand arival

Rose's heart raced as his words hung in the air. She had never expected him to acknowledge what had transpired between them, at least not so boldly. The walls she had carefully constructed around her desires were crumbling faster than she could comprehend.

"I..." she stammered, her mind racing to find the right words. But in that moment, words failed her, and she simply looked into his eyes, hoping that he could read the truth in hers.

A knowing smile played on Liam's lips as he leaned in, his breath warm against her skin. "Rose, I want you to know that you don't have to hide from me. I feel the same way you do."

His confession sent a surge of relief and anticipation coursing through her veins. She had longed for his touch, his affection, and now it seemed her desires were reciprocated.

In that instant, all hesitation melted away as their lips finally met. It was a collision of longing and pent-up desire, a culmination of the tension that had simmered between them. The world around th