They'd done this before, in the months they'd been together, but there was an edge to it, a certain something he couldn't quite put his finger on that made him wonder if this wouldn't end differently from what little fooling around they'd done in the past. The hand in his hair was a clue, no doubt, and the press of their hips another, but there was more to it, as well. A feeling he couldn't quite shake, an intent, on her end, that he wasn't sure was actually there. Maybe, he thought, he was simply projecting. Maybe, he thought, he was reading too much into it.

Even so, he did nothing to cut off the low, wanting sound he made as he deepened the kiss, more imploring than he was just a moment before, as the last vestiges of sleep began to take their leave. He took in a long, shaky breath through his nose as he shifted, slightly, against Layla, sliding one leg between hers.