Damian released her wrist.
The sudden absence of his touch felt louder than the moment it had been there, like the echo left behind after a door slammed shut. Ava's fingers curled instinctively, as though her body hadn't yet accepted that he'd let go. She stood frozen for a heartbeat, her pulse still racing, her skin still buzzing.
Damian took a step back, dragging in a breath that sounded strained even to his own ears. His jaw was tight, his gaze no longer burning into her but fixed somewhere over her shoulder, as if looking at her was suddenly dangerous.
"Come with me," he said quietly.
Ava blinked. "What?"
"Outside," he added, finally meeting her eyes again. His voice was controlled, but she could see the effort behind it. "Let's take a walk."
