Dominic watched the way Aria’s hands hovered just above the buttons of her blouse, her fingers trembling like leaves in a storm. He could see the terror etched into every line of her face, the way her breath came in shallow, panicked pulls. She was extremely sensitive, her body already bracing for something worse than a simple examination. He didn’t push.
Instead, he rested his hands gently on her shoulders, the touch light and steady, grounding her without any pressure. His palms were warm, his thumbs tracing slow, soothing circles just above her collarbones.
“Look at me, Aria,” he said softly.
She lifted her gaze, eyes wide and glassy with unshed tears. He held her there, letting her see the calm in his own expression. There was no demand, no impatience—just the quiet strength of a m
