Elena’s POV
The world outside the dark wooden pillar vanished.
The heavy, thumping bass of the party, the laughter from the kitchen, the clinking of red plastic cups, all of it faded into a dull, distant buzz. The only thing real was the stifling heat radiating off Evan’s broad chest and the dark, stormy intensity burning in his eyes.
"Ask me that again," he had rasped, his warm, heavy breath fanning over my lips, "and see what happens."
My pulse slammed against my ribs like a trapped bird. My lips parted, a sharp intake of air catching in my throat as I stared up into his face. I wanted to ask him. The words were sitting right on the tip of my tongue, terrifying and heavy, ready to tear down every thin boundary we had left between us.
Is it real, Evan? Are you feeling this too?
I sh
