ords settling in the pit of her stomach. It was as though he had cracked open a door inside her that she h

than before, his presence a constant pull she couldn't seem to escape. His eyes were focused on her, unwa

ce barely above a whisper, the frustration a

t like the others, Seraphina. I can see it in you. You think you can hide behind all the walls you've built, but they don't f

tive-who kept the distance, who played by her own rules. But Cassian was a different kind of force. He

voice was shaky, unsure of herself. "I'm

as something darker, something that sent a shiver down her spine. "You'r

y. She should turn and walk back into the building and leave this conv

o regain some sense of control, trying to conv

could feel the heat of his touch even through the fabric of her blouse. It was like a spark in the air, a charge that made

said, his voice hushed, intense. "And you know it. I s

ut the words caught in her throat as h

that seemed to send vibrations through her bo

ire, of wanting to step away but not knowing how. She had never felt this

uch was tender, almost as if he was trying to be gentle with her, but there was an underlying force in

ered, his face inches from

words were lost as he leaned in just slightly, his breath wa

. She was used to being in control, used to pushing people away, keepi

a jolt of heat through her body. It was a kiss, but not just any kiss.

htly as a wave of desire flooded through her. She didn't want this. She couldn't want this. But there was

eat, was overwhelming. Her heart was racing, her pulse pounding in her ears. She could feel the world narrowing down

away, his forehead resting against hers as he breathed

raw, like the kiss had affected him just as

She could feel the heat still radiating from her lips, still tingling in the aftermath

oice trembling. "Why ar

her with that inscrutable gaze, like he was searching for somet

And I won't let you hide from it anymore. You're not just your father's daughter. You're

but there was a part of her that felt something stirring deep inside. Something she hadn

let herself go th

said, her voice shaki

a quiet sigh, he stepped back. His expression remained unreadable, but there was a flic

aid softly, his voice just a

ving Seraphina standing alone on the cold sid

e thing was certain-Cassian Ashford wasn't goi