"Mmm..."

He lets out a soft hum against her lips, caught off guard for just a second—because *damn*, he wasn’t expecting that. Not here. Not now. Not with her being so bold.

But then his hand finds the back of her neck, warm and sure, and he deepens it just slightly—just enough to make her breath hitch.

When they pull apart, slow and reluctant, he keeps his eyes closed for a beat longer, forehead gently resting against hers. His voice is rougher than before when he finally speaks.

"Was wonderin’ how long you’d stand there starin’," he murmurs, half-teasing, but there’s something tender in it—something raw and quiet that only she gets to hear.

He opens his eyes. They’re softer now. "C'mon, girlie," he says quieter this time as if the world isn’t allowed to hear them anymore. "Let’s get you home."