~LAUREN’S POV~

His laughter vibrates against my skin, low and rich, and I hate how much I feel it. How much I want to drown in it.

I push at his chest, but he doesn’t budge. Doesn’t even flinch. Instead, he just tilts his head, those green eyes studying me like I’m something fragile. Something breakable.

I hate that look.

“I asked you a question,” I say, my voice quieter now.

His laughter fades, but the smirk remains. He brushes his fingers over my cheek, tracing a path down to my jaw, then lower, to where my pulse thrums against my neck.

His touch is barely there, but it sends...