Neel changed into clean, soft sleep pants and a t-shirt in the dim light of the bathroom. The fabric felt gentle against his skin, a small comfort after the long, strange night. But his mind was not on the clothes. His mind was still on her. The ghost of her lips on his neck was still there — not really there, but he could feel it.

It was a persistent, thrilling phantom pain. It made his heart beat faster just thinking about it. He stood still for a moment, closing his eyes, remembering how her breath had felt on his skin. A shiver ran through him, not from cold, but from the memory of her closeness. He felt confused and excited at the same time. He did not know what was happening between them, but he knew he did not want it to stop.