~~Kate~~
Mr Reid turned to me.
No warning. No words. No raised voice. Just that slow deliberate turn that made my stomach tighten before my brain could catch up.
I barely had time to inhale.
His hand came to my waist, firm, certain, and before I could process what was happening, my back hit the wall. Not violent. Just sudden.
My breath left me in a sharp gasp.
And then his mouth was on mine.
Everything froze.
The world. The house. The noise in my head. All of it shut down like someone had pulled the plug.
I did not kiss him back. I also did not pull away. My brain short circuited.
His lips were warm. Too warm. Soft but controlled, like he knew exactly what he was doing and that terrified me more than anything else. There was no rush in it. No desperation. Just a quiet claiming th
