Elora’s POV
His lips.
I could still feel them even after I pulled away, my heart racing very fast. For a moment, I had given in to him, into a kiss that felt more real than anything I had ever known.
And that was the problem.
“No,” I whispered out, barely getting the words past my throat. I pulled away so fast I nearly fell, palms smacking his chest. Not to push him, but to keep myself steady.
“Dante... no. Please. We just...we can’t.”
His name sounded like a bruise in my mouth. “Elora...”
“No. Seriously, just...stop.” I cut him off. Breath punched out of me. My voice was scratchy, raw, like I had gargled gravel. “Don’t say it, not right now. Give me a minute, I need a minute.”
He just stared at me like he was searching my face for a map, but neither of us had directions. His face
