Nina forced herself to look higher, dragging her gaze away from that intimidating sight until her eyes locked on his face.
And then it hit her.
Without the spell, without the hat and glasses, without anything to mask him—she recognized him instantly.
Her lips parted, a gasp escaping before she could stop it.
"You're… you're Ross Oakley!" Her voice cracked, disbelieving, trembling between awe and fear.
She clutched the strap of her bag like it could anchor her, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Her mind screamed at her to turn and run, but her legs refused to move.
She stood frozen, transfixed, every thought clouded by his sheer presence.
Ross didn't flinch. His gaze stayed locked on her, calm, predatory, knowing.
A slow smile curved his lips, the kind that promised danger and pleasure all at once.
He walked closer, each step measured, each one tightening the invisible leash he already had around her.
Nina's pulse thundered. Her throat went dry.
