Ava’s POV
I just stood there, like my feet were glued to the floor, staring up at Julian like he’d actually slapped me. My heart was pounding so hard it hurt, thumping against my ribs, but I tried to keep my face blank. Or at least not totally freak out. I swallowed—loud, I think—and forced the words out even though my voice wanted to shake.
“What did you just say?”
He didn’t repeat it. Didn’t explain either. He just looked at me with that lazy little smile, his eyes so dark in the light coming through the curtain blinds that they almost looked black.
“You should check it, you know.” he said, his voice all low and calm, like we were talking about coffee or something. “Before I lose it and do something nasty. I'm not really that patient.”
It was quiet, but it still hit like a punch. My
