NOAH
I stared up at him, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest, as he stood at the edge of the bed, his shirt hanging open, revealing the chiseled ridges of his abs and the faint scars that crisscrossed his bandaged torso like a map of battles won.
Cassian's tie lay discarded on the floor, a casualty of the moment, and his eyes, those piercing blue depths, locked onto mine with silent, predatory intent.
He didn't say a word; he didn't need to. His presence alone was intimidation enough, filling the room with a tension so thick it pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe.
I propped myself up on my elbows, my mouth dry as sandpaper, unable to tear my gaze away.
I can't breathe. He's so close. He's so big. What am I doing? The thoughts raced through my head, a whirlwind of panic and desire, but my body stayed frozen, pinned by the weight of his stare.
