Beyond Permission

Lyra lingered in the steam-filled bathroom, lost in a soft, almost hypnotic trance.

Kaelen noticed the silence stretching between them. Concern laced his voice as he broke through her thoughts. “What’s wrong, love?”

She shook her head, a gentle smile touching her lips. “Oh… it’s nothing.”

He stepped closer, worry etched in the line of his jaw. “Are you sure?”

Lyra nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

For a mome