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At my door, I paused and he slowed beside me.

The hallway was quiet. Like even the walls were waiting.

“I had a good night,” I whispered, my voice softer than it should’ve been.

More like confession.

“Me too,” he said. “Every part of me did.”

His tone was low. Velvet dipped in sin.

It made my stomach clench.

I turned toward him, my shoulder brushing his chest. I could smell him now—amber, spice, something masculine and unrushed.

“Night, Raj.”

“Night, Sienna.”

His voicelingered.Like he wanted the words to stay on my skin.

I opened my door. Slipped inside but even then—I felt him.

All I could think was…we’re not pretending anymore. Are we?

The robe was soft against my skin, but it didn’t soothe me.

I’d washed the night from my body, but not from my blood.

It beat in my chest. Flickered behind my knees. Settled hot between my thighs, soaking my flesh.

I climbed into bed trying my best to ignore what he kindled inside of me.

My phone lit up beside me.

Jas: So…?

Me: I almost jumped the man’s bones.

Jas: IKNEW IT

Me: We ate pizza. Talked. He’s not what I thought.

Jas: Lemme guess. Brooding. Brilliant. Built like a god?

Me: …

Jas: Girl.

Jas: Go to his room.

Me: I can’t.

Jas: Why not?

Me: Because if I do… it’s not just sex. There’s something else here…

Jas: So what?