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Those pale eyes never left mine.

He trusted me with the blade.

Blood.

Heat.

His body.

He was too big.

Too real.

Too close to the ache inside me.

Something inside me gave way violently. I yanked my hand away and stepped backwards. Another. Then another. The room swayed. Still he never moved toward me. Just held that stare as though somehow he knew what I’d do.

I spun so fast the room tilted around me. The knife slipped from my fingers. I didn’t wait for it to hit the floor.

The door.

Where was the fucking door?

“Nyssa…”

His voice followed me low and controlled, but instinct inside me screamed louder.

Run!

I grabbed the handle and shoved hard enough for the steel door top slam open against the wall. Cold air tore into my lungs. I stumbled forward blindly into the storm-dark afternoon.

Didn’t think.

Didn’t stop.

I just ran.

My pulse thundered too loudly beneath my skin.

Too hot.

Too tight.

His hands still burned against my wrists.

Closer.

Pine trees tightened around me.

My boots slammed against wet earth.

Branches scraped my sleeves.

Again.

Close enough to touch you means close enough to bleed.

God—