He took another deliberate step toward me.

"I've told you so many times that you don't have to be afraid of me," he murmured, but there was no impatience in his voice—rather, something that wavered between frustration and hurt. His brow wrinkled, as if he were considering my reaction, and for a moment he seemed to have to stop himself.

Before I even realized what was happening, he took another step forward – and I instinctively stepped back. A silent, unspoken game that continued until my back suddenly hit the wall. My breath caught.

And then he was there. So close that I could feel the cool presence of his...