The door clicked shut behind her, and she stood in the hallway for a moment, her hand still on the handle, with her breath coming in short, uneven bursts.

The tingling heat on her backside refused to fade, and she could still hear the ghost of Kael's laughter echoing in her ears.

That man.

She pushed off from the door and forced herself to walk—not run—toward the kitchen.

The wooden tray in her hands wobbled slightly, the empty glass rattling against it, but she tightened her grip to steady it. Her footsteps were brisk but not quite dignified, her cheeks still burning like twin furnaces.

When she finally reached the...