His body went still above me the second the sound left my throat.
Kaelith pulled out of me so fast it almost hurt, rolling off to the side in one smooth motion until there was nothing covering me but air. The sudden absence of his weight should have helped. It didn't. Not right away. My chest still felt locked, lungs refusing to take a full breath. I curled onto my side, one hand pressed hard against my sternum like I could force the air in myself.
"El. Look at me."
His voice was low, steady, close. I felt the mattress dip as he shifted nearer but he didn't touch me yet. He waited until my eyes dragged up to his.
"You're safe," he said. "I'm not on you. I'm not holding you down. Breathe with me."
