šššššš
His arm around my waist tightened, my eyes flying to meet his. For a moment we were suspended, his expression more open than I had ever thought possible.
Yet in an instant, it hardened. Before he could eviscerate me with whatever cutting remark was forming behind those hazel eyes, I scrambled away from him, my legs barely cooperating as I put distance between us.
He didn't follow.
Just adjusted his glasses with, his face settling back into that familiar mask like the moment between us had never happened at all.
"He felt it too, Rora," The core muttered.
"Collect yourself," he said, his voice flat and dismissive. "We have work to do."
I forced myself to stand on shaking legs, my hands bracing against my knees as I tried to calm my racing heart and ignore the lingering warmth where his hands had been.
When I finally looked up, he'd already turned away, his attention fixed on something in the clearing ahead.
Like I was nothing.
