Merlina hesitated, her eyes searching Craig's face for any crack in his armor.
"May I?" She gestured faintly to the space on the chair beside him, close enough to feel his warmth without invading it entirely.
Craig's gaze followed her hand, then lifted to her face. He paused. Then gave a single, quiet nod.
She sat carefully, perched on the edge of the seat. For a fleeting second, her knee brushed against his thigh before she pulled back, the brief contact sending a quiet shiver through her.
Up close, she could see the faint lines of exhaustion around his eyes, the way his shoulders carried a tension that no amount of control could hide. Her hands twisted in her lap, fingers curling together like she was holding on to something invisible.
