Kimi felt her world tilt on its axis after hearing Kolton's words. The confession hung in the air between them like a dangerous promise. Her heart hammered against her ribcage so violently she wondered if he could hear it. Deep within her chest, something wild and untamed stirred to life, awakening after what felt like an eternity of dormancy.
She stared at Kolton with wide eyes, searching his face for any trace of deception. He turned away, unable to meet her piercing gaze, his jaw clenched tight.
A bitter laugh escaped her lips, starting as a soft chuckle before building into something unhinged and desperate. The sound made Kolton snap his attention back to her. Her dress had shifted during her emotional outburst, the fabric sliding down to expose more of her collarbones and the curve of her chest, but she was too consumed by her turmoil to notice or care.
"Why are you laughing like that?" Kolton's voice carried a note of concern.
