Hazel’s heart pounded as she stepped closer to Ace, her breaths shallow as the warmth of his proximity wrapped around her like a blanket. They were standing in his room, the soft glow of the lamp casting long shadows on the walls. The atmosphere was thick with the tension that had been brewing between them for weeks now—ever since that moment when Ace had kissed her, sealing the connection that had been simmering beneath the surface for so long.
Ace’s eyes were locked on hers, intense and filled with something that sent shivers down her spine. He had always been a safe harbor for her, the one person she could count on when the world seemed too big, too overwhelming. But tonight, something was different. There was an edge to his gaze, a fire that made her feel both excited and frightened.
