Chapter 71
Dermos’s POV
She didn’t move. That was the first thing I noticed. Ariella had stopped retreating.
For the first time since I stepped into the room, she wasn’t putting distance between us.
She just stood there with her back no longer pressed to the shelves and her arms no longer crossed defensively.
But she wasn’t relaxed either. Not even close.
Her breathing had slowed, but I could still see the rise and fall of her chest, like she was forcing herself to stay steady, like she was holding something back.
My gaze dropped briefly to her lips, then back to her eyes.
She was still uncertain, still guarded, but no longer pushing me away.
That alone shifted something in the air.
“You’re thinking too much,” I said quietly, and her brows pulled together slightly.
“I have enou
