Chapter 4:

Crossing the Line

The next evening the tension between us had only grown thicker. We had barely spoken about the kitchen incident all day, but it hung in every glance, every accidental brush. After a quiet dinner, we moved to the living room with glasses of wine. I sat on the couch, legs tucked under me, while Silas paced for a moment before sitting close beside me.

“Elara, we cannot keep pretending last night did not happen,” Silas said, turning to face me fully. His green eyes were dark with need. “That moan you made when my fingers brushed you… I have not stopped thinking about it. The...