~LAUREN’S POV~

I should have stepped back.  

But I didn’t.  

The night air felt heavy with an energy I couldn't describe. The space between us was gone, and now he was just there—his presence was strong, and his scent wrapped around me like a powerful spell.

I hated that my body responded before my mind could catch up.  

Alexandro didn’t touch me, not completely. His hands remained braced against the railing on either side of me, caging me in, but his body heat seeped into mine, and his breath was maddeningly close.  

Waiting.  

Daring.  

A slow smirk tugged at his lips as if he could feel my hesitation as if...