Mark captured her mouth in a deep, possessive kiss, unhurried but firm.
His lips pressed against Aria's, warm against her slightly cool ones, and Aria melted instantly with a muffled moan, as if that single contact was already enough to make her tremble from head to toe.
She practically dissolved against him.
Her hands gripped his tunic harder, crumpling the fabric in desperation, while her tongue sought his with eager, submissive clumsiness, begging for more without words.
Mark deepened the kiss, one hand settling on the nape of her neck to hold her in place, the other sliding down her back to her slim waist, pulling her tighter against his lap.
When they finally parted for air, a thin strand of saliva still connected their lips.
Aria panted, her mismatched eyes, one red, one blue, glistening with fresh tears.
"Masterrr… thank you for kissing me," she whispered, voice breaking. "I'm not worthy, but you… you're touching me."
