Candice was caught off guard.
She felt herself being thrown to one side, her body toppling over, and instinctively reached out for something to hold onto.
Charlie steadied her waist, his palm folding inward, causing her not only to fall but also to land face-to-face in his embrace.
She had meant to steady herself by gripping the back of the chair, but his sudden movement had her hand land on his thigh instead.
Her chest pressed against him.
Her other hand, in panic, reflexively grabbed the side of his waist.
Above her, his breath, like the morning mist in the mountains, enveloped her.
Her breath hitched.
The softness pressing against his chest seemed to set on fire.
She screamed internally, feeling as though she had been thrown into an oven, while her exterior stiffened as though
