Seraphina's Point Of View
I froze.
Absolutely froze.
Like my body had forgotten the memo that I was supposed to be furious, offended, in control.
Heat pooled low in my stomach… traitorous, sudden, and my breath hitched before I could stop it. My lips parted on instinct, a tiny, humiliating sound slipping out before I clamped my jaw shut.
No. Nope. Absolutely not.
My fingers curled into fists at my sides, nails biting into my palms, grounding me just enough to stop whatever disaster my body was trying to orchestrate. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it, feel it, like it was pressing against my ribs, begging to betray me.
Get a grip, Seraphina.
I swallowed. Hard.
My tongue felt thick. My mouth dry. When I tried to speak, my voice didn't cooperate immediately.
"I…"
God.
I stopped, inhaled sharply through my nose, then tried again.
"You— you don't…" I snapped my mouth shut, furious at the stutter.
Really? Now?
