I told myself I was fine. I told myself I could handle this.
Lies.
My brain was screaming at me to put some distance between us. My heart was trying to reason. But my body? My body had its own secret agenda.
Somehow, between my flustered inner monologue and Hugo's intoxicating lime pheromones, I lost track of everything.
One moment, I was sitting rigidly on the bed, hugging a pillow like it was my last defense. The next thing I knew, my vision blurred, the air grew thick, and my limbs betrayed me.
When I snapped out of the daze, I was no longer sitting.
No. I was… on Hugo's lap.
What's worse? He didn't seem surprised. Not even a little.
"Hugo—" I croaked, but my words turned into a soft gasp.
His arms were securely wrapped around my waist, holding me gently yet firmly. And his face — oh, his face was so close — burying into the crook of my neck. I felt his warm breath fanning my skin, sending shivers all over.
Then, I felt it.
