Elizabeth King
Vincent suddenly broke the kiss, stepping back from her, his breathing ragged, each exhale coming out in short, shallow pants. His hands trembled at his sides, as if they couldn’t decide whether to reach for her again or stay where they were.
“W-wait,” he stammered, retreating a step further, his eyes wide with a mixture of desire and regret.
Elizabeth blinked, confusion clouding her features as the distance between them grew. “Why?” she asked, unable to hide the edge in her voice or the hurt that flickered across her face. The warmth of their shared kiss still lingered on her lips, now tinged with an unexpected chill.
Vincent ran a hand through his tousled hair, his expression torn. “No... Firecracker,” he said softly, using the nickname that always made her heart skip
