The words hit me low in my stomach, sharp and hot. I stopped walking, my breath catching. “You don’t even know me.” “Oh, I know enough.” He stepped closer, too close, until his shadow swallowed mine. The air between us sizzled, heavy with something I couldn’t name. His scent hit me dark, earthy, threaded with something wild that made my pulse trip. I wanted to push him back. I wanted to lean in. Both urges warred until I thought I’d tear in half. His hand rose slowly, not touching, just hovering by my cheek, like he was daring me to lean into it. My skin tingled in anticipation, traitorous, hungry. “You shouldn’t be alone tonight,” he whispered, his breath brushing my lips. And in that moment, with the city humming around us and his golden eyes burning into mine, I knew he was right. Even if it destroyed me. The night air wrapped around me like a cold hand, sharp and sobering after the suffocating weight of the bar. My heels clicked against the sidewalk, too loud, too fast. Ever
Read more