*Ella*

Ryatt goes totally still.

“I’ve never–I’ve never done this–”

He pulls away, and I feel like someone has just dumped a bucket of ice water over my head. I snap my legs shut, a furious blush crashing over my skin like a tidal wave. Even my hair stands on end as a deep, cutting embarrassment shreds me apart.

I look at him only once. His eyes are dark now, his expression made of cold stone.

“I’m sorry,” I breathe, and his eyes snap to mine.

“Don’t be. This was my fault. I lost control.”

“No, it was mine–”

The door in the front of the cottage opens and several...