As soon as there was space, as soon as I thought my shoulders would fit, I launched myself through the opening, knocking my savior backward, halting the doors progress. Without the counterweight, it closed with a screeching whine, unlubricated metal grinding out.
Hands grasped my forearms, shoving me back a step. Roman dipped his head to see me, eye to eye. I relaxed under his grip. Relief made me weak, and worse my eyelids burned with tears. My biceps stung, my lungs felt flattened and my throat was dry. I needed him like I needed air right now. It wasn't a desire, it was survival.
I pushed forward, desperate to soak in his warmth. Needing the commotion, the choking fear to vanish in Roman's embrace.
He kept me at arms' length and looked at me oddly, remotely, distantly. Eyes bland, fa
