“This is real.” His voice was a low, rumbling growl, the edge of something raw and dangerous in it. “What’s between us—this thing—it’s real.”
“You don’t understand. I didn’t choose anything. I didn’t ask for this to happen.”
“I didn’t ask for it either.” I whispered, the words almost strangled in my throat.
The tension between us felt like it was about to snap. Like the thread that bound us was stretching too thin, too tight, and I was one second away from breaking.
Asher stepped forward again, his presence overwhelming. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“Then why are you?” The question was soft, but it cut through the air like a blade.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he closed the distance between us, his hands reaching for me like a lifeline. His touch was gentle, almost tentative
