Third person's POV
The whole room felt hot and sweaty, quiet and only filled with hot breaths. Dante was the first to move.
He cleared his throat, the sound low and controlled, and stepped half a pace back as if physical distance alone could restore order. He ran a hand through his hair, smoothing it into place with mechanical precision, then adjusted the cuffs of his shirt. His expression had settled into something carefully neutral, but his jaw was tight, eyes darker than usual.
Lily mirrored him a second later, smoothing the front of her blouse with trembling fingers, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her cheeks were still flushed, her pulse still loud in her ears. She avoided looking directly at him at first, focusing instead on grounding herself in small, practical m
