Chapter 16

He looks wary, and I sigh heavily, repositioning myself against the counter so we stand a foot apart. Strained awkwardness returning now we are no longer touching.

Isn’t that just the thing? I have no clue.

There’s a long, tense pause as my brain scrambles for a response, and I stare at him reluctantly, absorbing every single one of those masculine features. He truly is a handsome devil, even with those cold eyes and that brooding frown. He continues with that unreadable expression and watches me as intensely.

“I need time to think. I need to sleep. My head’s a mess, and there are a million and one things in there flying around.” I step away from him to get a little extra space I so need right now, catching the look of disappointment as he realises the hug was a one-off, for now, anyway. This is my only option to get some headspace.

I don’t know what I’m doing beyond going to bed and being alone. There are a million and one things to process that are piling u