or maybe it was just hiding us. Every step I took beside Nicholas felt like walking a tightrope,

d. My hand brushed his once, then again, each time a spark that made me shiver, made me want m

t looking at me but scanning the streets. His hand gripped m

, voice tight. "But not af

ss. "Not of me?" His tone wasn't question it was di

id, heart hammering. "That's...

ing again. "Good," he whispered. "Because feeling that... is dan

the shadows dance across the asphalt. Nicholas didn't unlock the d

t me?" he as

secrets, danger, and decisions I couldn't possibly understand yet. But looking into his e

ftly, even as my

cheek again, thumb tracing the line of my jaw in a motio

ng, he pulled me closer, pressing his forehead against mine, and whis

from need. Desire tangled with danger, making me di

rm, a trail of heat in its wake. I wanted to lean into him, wanted to close the

footsteps, deliberate and measu

hind the car. He crouched, eyes scanning the shadows. "Sta

he intruder approached, the sound of boots crunc

Real. Tangible. And

his hand brushing mine once again a spark, a reminder

pered, just loud enough for m

But I couldn't. My body, my heart, eve

stance was clear. Nicholas's grip tightened on my wrist, and I felt it the unspoken promis

w from his past. I didn't know who this person was, what they wanted, or what it would cost but I knew one thing: I would follow Ni

and desire collided, binding us toge