The hard chest I had slammed into felt like solid steel, yet it was strangely warm and comforting. Massive hands wrapped around my waist, firm and possessive, as if they belonged there. For a few agonizing seconds, I forgot how to breathe.

“I, I... what do you mean?” I stuttered, my voice thick with a mixture of confusion and fear.

My heart began to beat with a violent rhythm I wasn’t sure was physically possible. I could feel the heat radiating through his shirt, a searing contrast to the cold sweat prickling my skin.

“Look at me.” The voice was low and smooth.

When I didn’t budge, a finger hooked...