He smiled. Hesitant at first, then a blazing grin broke through that made my heart stop. I recovered and grinned back and went to throw my arms around his neck, then stopped, blushing. Before I could pull back, he caught my elbows and put my arms around his neck and pulled me into a hug.
In this scene from Kelley Armstrong's "The Reckoning," the characters share a moment filled with warmth and vulnerability. Initially hesitant, one character smiles, and that smile transforms into a bright grin that captivates the other, evoking a strong emotional response. The warmth of this connection creates a pause, as feelings of shyness arise before they can fully embrace the moment.
The hesitation is quickly overcome when the other character takes the...
