It was the kind of gaze that unravelled me, stripped away every wall I had built. Something in it was hungry, searching, but also conflicted. For a second, I thought he might lean closer, close the distance, seal the space between us with something that would change everything.
My knees went weak.
But then—his jaw clenched. He forced his eyes shut, as if fighting himself, dragging in a deep breath through his nose. His hand stilled, then dropped away, leaving a rush of cold where his warmth had been.
When his eyes opened again, the fire was gone. In its place was restraint...self-control.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly, turning his back on me as quickly as he had closed himself off. “You can go.”
Just like that.
I had no idea what exactly he was sorry for, but I stood frozen, heat stil
