As they stepped inside, Eilika was greeted by a warm, cozy interior. Two comfortable chairs and a low coffee table sat near the window, while a large bed occupied the opposite side of the room.

The pattering of the rain against the roof filled the space, creating an immediate sense of seclusion.

Damian had already moved to the bed. He lay across the edge, his feet still resting on the floor as he stared up at the exposed wooden beams of the ceiling. "Come here," he said softly. "The sound of the rain is best from right here."

Eilika hesitated for only a second before joining him. she settled onto the mattress, mirroring his position, and let her eyes drift shut.

The steady, percussive beat of the downpour against the shingles brought a sudden, profound peace to her mind. It was a soothing sound, one that made her feel as though she could drift into a deep sleep right then and there.

Suddenly, she felt Damian’s hand right next to hers. Her fingers curled, a quiet hope rising that he would be the one to reach out first. Yet, mindful of the fragile state of his heart and the complexity of their arrangement, she braced herself to take the initiative.

Her eyes shot open when his fingers finally brushed against hers.

Eilika’s breath caught in her throat. She felt she should speak, but the words were trapped by the sudden fluttering in her chest.

Then, Damian’s fingers moved, slowly interlacing with hers until their palms were pressed together.

She turned her head and found his eyes were still closed, a faint, serene smile gracing his lips.

Eilika’s gaze lingered on his lips, her mind wandering toward a thought she had never dared to entertain before: what it would be like to kiss her husband.

She had heard other women speak of the early days of marriage, of the constant affection and the many kisses shared between newlyweds, but her own experience had been starkly different. That level of intimacy felt like a distant shore they hadn’t yet reached.

’What if I were the one to do it?’ she wondered.

She quickly dismissed the idea, a slight shake of her head betraying her nerves. ’No, Damian wouldn’t like that. He isn’t ready for anything beyond this.’

"Do you hear the birds chirping? The rain brings them here," Damian’s voice suddenly broke the silence. He tilted his head toward her, his eyes opening only to find Eilika’s intense gaze already fixed on him.

"Yes!" Eilika replied instantly, her voice a pitch higher than usual. She forced a smile, desperately trying to mask the embarrassment of being caught staring.

Feeling her cheeks grow hot, she sat up abruptly, smoothing her skirts in an attempt to steady her fraying nerves.

Damian, however, didn’t look away. His gaze remained fixed on her. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Before she could move further, he reached out and pulled her back toward him. The sudden tug sent her off balance; she gasped as her hands instinctively landed flat against his chest to break her fall. The movement was so swift that she landed inches from his face, the tip of her nose brushing against the bridge of his.

Eilika froze, her eyes wide as she realized she had forgotten to breathe.

"What were you thinking about?" Damian asked softly. He reached up, his thumb grazing her left cheek as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His hand lingered there, cradling her face, while his other arm settled firmly around her waist.

"Nothing," she lied, her voice a mere whisper as she nervously bit her bottom lip.

"Do you want me to kiss you?" he asked, his voice bold and steady.

"Huh?" Eilika’s eyes widened, her pulse hammering against her ribs as a deep red flush crept across her cheeks.

"Do you want me to kiss you?" Damian repeated, his gaze dropping to her lips for a second before meeting her eyes again.

Eilika went completely silent, her mind racing so fast she couldn’t form a single word. Noticing her daze, he shifted his hand and flicked his fingers in front of her face to bring her back.

She blinked rapidly, her heart in her throat.

"Say it," Damian prompted.

"Uh... Do you want to? I mean... You—you—" Her stutters were cut short when he closed the remaining distance, his lips pressing firmly against hers.

Her eyes squeezed shut as her entire body went rigid. In the shock of the contact, she completely forgot how to breathe, her lungs tightening as if the air itself had vanished.

"Eilika," he whispered her name, pulling back just enough to create a sliver of space between their lips. "You’re supposed to breathe through your nose while kissing. And move your lips a little, will you?"

"Uh... yes... but how? I don’t know," Eilika stammered, her embarrassment reaching a fever pitch.

This was her first kiss. It was supposed to be the effortless, sweeping moment the ladies always gushed about, yet here she was, needing a practical lesson from her husband.

Her heart was hammering frantically against her ribs, and her mind felt as though it had been completely short-circuited by the proximity of him.

Damian shifted, flipping her gently onto the mattress as the pattering of the rain intensified against the roof. "Just follow my lead," he whispered, his breath warm against her mouth. "Move your lips as I do."

Eilika nodded, her heart racing with anticipation for what felt like her true first kiss.

When his lips met hers again, he moved slowly, giving her time to adjust. He nibbled softly at her upper lip before moving to the lower one, guiding her patiently.

"Relax your body," he murmured against her skin, repeating the slow movements.

Eilika consciously forced her tense shoulders to drop, finally letting the mattress take her weight as she began to imitate him.

She knew her movements were clumsy and uncertain, but she gave him her best effort. Her heart felt as though it might leap right out of her throat, drumming a rhythm that matched the storm outside.

So this was what they all talked about.

It was sweet, dizzying, and filled with a sudden, sharp NEED she hadn’t recognized until this very second. It was a deep desire to finally be touched by her husband.