When her hands froze, I reached over and took the dog from her before she could dismantle it further.
“It’s not dumb.”
Her eyes flicked up to mine quickly.
I turned the machine over in my hands, studying the craftsmanship more carefully now that she wasn’t trying to destroy it.
“I actually like it.” That cautious uncertainty on her face cracked slightly.
“I’ll figure out the rune side,” I added, tapping one of the lenses thoughtfully. “I’m good at designing new runes.”
The transformation in her expression hit me square in the chest. Hope bloomed across her face so openly it almost hurt to look at.
Her mouth parted just slightly while those eyes lit up like I’d handed her the world instead of basic praise.
And suddenly all I could hear was her pulse.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
My gaze dropped toward her throat, tracking the rhythm beneath her skin. Every beat made something hungry inside me stir awake again.
Blood. I need blood. No. I need distance. Air. Space. Anything except standing this close to her while she looked at me like that.
I cleared my throat and looked down at my watch like I’d just remembered something important.
“Oh shit.” She blinked, looking at my watch like it would tell her something. “I’ve got a meeting soon.”
The lie came too easily, and I stepped back before my body betrayed me any further.
“Let me take you home.”
Her lips parted again, but this time disappointment softened the edges instead of excitement. Her gaze drifted toward the piles of half-finished parts scattered across the table.
I forced myself to smile casually.
“You can come back later.” Her attention snapped back to me immediately at that.
“But right now,” I added lightly, “I’m betting you’re hungry.”
Right on cue, her stomach growled loudly enough for both of us to hear. Her entire body jerked in embarrassment.
Wide eyes darted away from mine while heat rushed into her cheeks so fast I had to physically stop myself from grinning.
Cute. Way too fucking cute.
“Come on,” I said, turning before I stared too long. “Before Rack throws a fit because you missed dinner.”
That earned a small laugh from her as she hurried after me. The walk back to the elevator was strangely quiet.
Not uncomfortable. Just… full. Both of us were lost in thought as the steel doors slid shut, sealing us into the small space together.
She rocked on her heels before finally glancing up at me.
“And what about you?”
