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I barely had time to process what had just happened. One moment we were hidden away, watching Emma and Kai, and the next, I teleported and she had me pinned against the damn wall. Again.
Her body was pressed flush against mine, her cheek resting over my chest. I could feel the warmth of her breath seeping through my shirt, her head rising and falling in sync with my heartbeat. It wasn't just my heart pounding—my whole chest was tight, lungs burning as if I had forgotten how to breathe. The worst part was how natural it felt, how I didn't even flinch when she latched onto me.
Her voice came out muffled against my shirt. "Where are they?"
It took me a second to register what she'd said. I forced myself to answer, my throat dry. "They're walking."
"Walking where?" she whispered, her words barely audible.
"The dock," I replied, my voice low. From where I stood, I could still make out Kai and Emmaline heading toward the water. But that wasn't where my attention was anymore. No, all I could think about was the way she felt against me, the way her body fit so perfectly into mine, like we were two pieces of a puzzle that had finally clicked into place.
And I was still holding her—hugging her, practically. My arms were wrapped around her back, fingers clutching the fabric of her shirt like I was scared she'd slip away. I hadn't even realized I was holding my breath until I finally let it out in one slow exhale. The scent of her hair filled my lungs, something soft and familiar, like lavender or some kind of floral shampoo that suited her too well. It was messing with my head, and I couldn't help but wonder how I hadn't noticed before just how perfectly she fit in my arms.
It was unbearable.
I needed more.
Without thinking, I let my hands slide lower, tracing down her spine. Just as my fingers reached the small of her back, she snapped her head up, her cheek brushing against mine. Her hair swept across my jaw, and I almost gasped at the way it felt, soft, teasing. I froze, my pulse pounding in my ears as I found myself face to face with her. She was so close. Too close. I could see every single detail—her slightly parted lips, her brows pulled together in a mix of confusion and something else. Her breath hitched, the warm air ghosting over my skin, and for a moment, I thought I'd lose it entirely.
"Can you see them now?" she whispered, her voice shaky, eyes locked onto mine.
I couldn't look away from her. Hell, I didn't want to look away. She was right there, so close I could feel the heat radiating off her skin, her body pressed up against mine in a way that had me questioning everything. My mind was spinning, and all I could think about was how much closer I wanted to be, how I wasn't sure I could stop myself even if I tried.
"They can still see us if we move," I said, barely recognizing my own voice. It was strained, rough, as if I was holding something back. I hadn't even bothered to check, but I knew.
