Adam's lips curved into a slow, mischievous smile the moment Ella instinctively pressed her thighs together, her entire body tightening in shy resistance. The flush that bloomed across her cheeks deepened into a rich crimson, spreading down her neck like spilled wine on silk.
He took in the sight of her, eyes darkening with desire and awe. Without rushing, without breaking eye contact, he bent slightly and placed his hands on her knees. His grip was firm but not forceful, deliberate, and coaxing rather than commanding, as he gently eased her legs apart again.
Ella's breath caught, the vulnerability of the position sent a wave of heat through her body. She felt exposed in a way that made her chest tighten, her fingers curling slightly into the fur beneath her.
"Adam… I—"
