Nadia's POV
The initial pressure was overwhelming as he pushed forward, working past my body's natural resistance. My muscles tensed involuntarily, making everything more difficult than it needed to be.
"Breathe with me," he murmured against my ear, his voice low and soothing. "Come on, love."
The endearment that slipped from his lips made my heart skip. Did he really just say that?
A sharp intake of breath escaped him, and I felt his entire body tremble. "You need to relax. Fighting me will only make this harder."
I pressed my face deeper into the curve of his neck. "I'm trying."
"I know you are." His tone was patient, gentle. "I don't want to hurt you."
I focused on my breathing, slowly allowing the tension to leave my shoulders and neck. My grip on him gradually loosened.
"Much better," he praised softly, easing forward another inch. A sound escaped my throat, and my fingers found his back, pressing against the solid muscle. "Just keep breathing like that."
