[Hazel]
Elijah pulled back abruptly, his breath ragged as he straightened, eyes avoiding mine. One hand shot to his collar, tugging at it like it was suddenly choking him.
The kiss lasted only a couple of seconds—but its aftertaste lingered like smoke after fire, curling through every nerve ending, branding itself into my skin. It clung to me, stubborn and sweet, like the dangerous aftermath of something I should’ve never dared to taste.
“I—I’m…” he began, clearing his throat. “I’m sorry. I… I shouldn’t have kissed you back.”
Ouch.
The words struck harder than I expected, and I could see from the way his face pinched that he realized it too.
“I mean—it wasn’t bad,” he rushed to amend, waving a hand awkwardly. “That’s not what I meant. I am not saying that I like it. No, that doesn't
