The dishes clinked softly under the stream of water as Alicia stood at the sink, trying to breathe evenly. Her hands moved on autopilot, scrubbing a plate with far more focus than necessary, just to ignore the way her body still burned from the feel of him. From his gaze. From everything he was.
She told herself she was fine. That she just needed a minute. Just needed space.
But then…
She felt him.
Not footsteps. Not sound. Just the ripple of presence—a quiet, invisible pull that slid over her skin like silk before she even sensed the heat of him at her back.
Adrien's voice came low—so low it was nearly a breath, curling behind her ear like a secret forged in shadow.
"Make up all the excuses you want," he murmured, the edge of his teeth grazing the shell of her ear. "No matter how slow you run…"His breath sent a chill down her spine."…you'll meet the end."
Alicia went still—completely, utterly still—heart hammering in her chest.
