Erasmi watched as Ava washed the dishes, a sigh escaping his lips. Finally, he had seen the worried look on her face disappear, even if it was only for a little while. Gabe's suggestion had been spot on. Instead of asking Ava directly or hinting at her to open up, it was much better to create an environment where she could see, feel, and believe that everything was well. Only then would she relax enough to let down her guard.
Since the evening had been a roaring success, it was time to work on making the night equally memorable. Silently, he walked over to her and slipped his arms around her, nuzzling her hair. She jumped at first, something he'd expected, and then relaxed against him, whispering his name softly, "Erasmi."
He smiled and gently kissed her neck, savoring the way she said his name. Instead of letting her go, he hugged her closer, wanting to eliminate any distance between them. The warmth of her body against his was a comforting reminder of their bond.
