I thought he was leaning in for a kiss.
My body reacted before my mind did. I shrank back slightly and whispered in a rush, "Ashton… there are people outside…"
He paused.
Then, without a word, he pulled the seatbelt from the other side and fastened it around me. His eyes flicked up, faint amusement there, like he had already guessed what I was thinking. "What exactly were you expecting?"
My face burned instantly.
I had misunderstood him completely.
I turned my head away quickly, pretending to look outside the window, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The car moved smoothly through the night streets, the city lights sliding across the glass like soft shadows.
Then I felt it.
Warmth.
His fingers brushed mine lightly at first, then stayed there. He was holding my hand while still driving, steady and focused like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I looked down, surprised.
