Mira stood frozen, unable to form a single word. Her mouth opened, closed, then opened again, but her voice betrayed her, refusing to come out. Heat climbed her neck, flooding her cheeks with a heavy mix of humiliation and rising fury.
Derek’s confusion shifted, hardening into something darker. A slow, disbelieving smile crept across his face, followed by a short, humorless laugh.
“Don’t tell me you use these to satisfy your urges,” he said, his voice edged with mockery.
Panic flared through Mira, jerking her forward. She snatched the toys from Derek’s hands, her fingers brushing his. The contact sent an unwelcome jolt racing through her veins.
“It’s none of your goddamn business,” Mira spat, her voice trembling.
She spun toward the armchair and snatched up the small box beside it, sh
