Sten straightened slowly afterward like he hadn’t just absolutely destroyed my nervous system.
Meanwhile, I stood frozen against the dormitory door, trying not to combust.
His glowing eyes dragged slowly over my face before he reached past me and opened the door himself.
Gentle.
Controlled.
Like he knew exactly how overwhelmed I was becoming.
“Tomorrow,” he murmured.
Gods.
The promise in that single word.
I nodded mutely.
Because speaking no longer seemed possible.
He nudged me softly inside before pulling the door closed behind me.
I immediately pressed my eye to the peephole like an insane person.
Sten stood there, waiting.
One brow lifted knowingly.
Then his lips moved silently:
Lock your door.
And, like an absolute traitor to my own personality—I obeyed.
Instantly.
The second the lock clicked, I looked through the peephole and saw his expression soften with visible satisfaction.
Possessive Monster.
Cool cool cool.
Definitely normal.
I watched him walk away down the dim corridor, shadows curling around him almost lovingly as he disappeared farther into darkness with every step.
And gods.
The ache that opened inside my chest watching him leave caught me completely off guard.
“Wow,” I whispered aloud once he vanished.
I leaned back against the door slowly, pressing trembling fingers to my mouth.
My room looked painfully ordinary after his.
Gray walls.
