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She hooked her ankle around Adriel’s leg andpulled her closer. “I get it now, what you were saying about feeding being intimate."

One of them needed to be sensible. “Juniper…”

She traced her eyebrow as she held her stare. “Is this too much?” She tightened her leg and trailed her finger down Adriel’s cheek. “I can stop if you want me to.”

Adriel did not want her to stop. The air tinged with a sultry spice the more she touched her. No one had ever caressed her so gently. When her finger traced over her lashes, she closed her eyes. Something similar to fear bounced inside of her.

“Juniper, what are we doing?”

She laughed, the sound soft and warm, not at all mocking. “I don’t know, but I like it.”

Adriel opened her eyes. Their mouths were a mere inch apart. Everything stilled when Juniper slowly leaned closer. Her lips brushed Adriel’s, and she drew back, her fingers rushing to her mouth.

“Was that not okay?”

How could she explain that after all these years, she’d never been kissed before. Perhaps her mother and father had shown her affection when she was young, but she had no memory of such things. Cerberus certainly hadn’t treated her with kisses.

Embarrassment swamped her. “I’m afraid I…don’t have experience with this.”

“Me neither. I’ve only ever kissed guys.”

She looked down, ashamed. “I’ve never kissed anyone, save my son when he was young.”

Juniper caught her chin. “Hey, don’t hide.” She smiled. “I wouldn’t have kissed anyone on that farm either.”

She laughed. “That isn’t exactly why.”

“Then why? You’re beautiful. I’m sure plenty of people fantasized about kissing you.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Hey.” She nodded. “I see you, Adriel. You are, without a doubt, one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever met.”

She licked her lips, unsure where to turn her eyes. “You’re making me blush.”

“Good. You look pretty with a little color on your cheeks.” She caressed her cheekbone with the backs of her fingers.

“I’m ignorant when it comes to such things.”

“You’re innocent. There’s a difference.”

“I’m not. I have experience?—”

“With this? Has anyone ever simply touched you for the pleasure of it.”

Her vision blurred as that painful realization twisted like a knife in her heart. “No. I’ve never known that kind of pleasure.”

“Shut your eyes,” she whispered, and Adriel did.

Her breath hitched when Juniper’s fingers softly trailed over her cheek and down to her throat. Tears built in her eyes at such loving affection. Juniper slowly traced every feature andcurve. When her fingertip trailed over her mouth, Adriel’s lips parted.

“Can I kiss you again?”

Adriel barely nodded, afraid the slightest movement might spoil the moment.

Warm breath fanned across her lips, and then there was soft pressure. Her lips were full and slightly damp, but she liked the way it felt. Juniper leisurely opened and closed her mouth, showing Adriel what to do. She mimicked the motion, and a delicate, encouraging moan whispered from Juniper’s mouth into hers.

The elusive tip of her tongue teased passed her lips. Playful and intentional. Juniper’s mouth curved into a smile, laughing softly, the sound as gentle as delicate windchimes in the distance. Nibbling at her lower lip and coaxing her way inside.