Delilah's Pov

"I belong to someone else."

The words came out of me before I even had the chance to swallow them back. And the moment they left my mouth, Verret stopped. Completely. It was like the entire room froze with him.

He didn't blink.

He didn't move.

He just stared.

Head slightly tilted... eyes narrowed in that strange, entertained way he had, like he had just discovered a new species and wasn't sure if he wanted to study it or devour it.

I tilted my head back instinctively, mirroring him, even though I didn't understand why.

A silent staring contest.

My heartbeat thudded painfully against my ribs. His expression...