He looked like sin carved from shadow and light.
But his eyes…
His eyes were fire.
“Zayn—” she choked out. “I—I can explain—”
“You don’t have to.”
His feet moved soundlessly as he approached her, every step a controlled storm.
“I told you yesterday. You’re not going anywhere.”
Her throat closed. “You can’t keep me here.”
“I already am,” he said quietly.
Too quietly.
She backed away instinctively — until her lower back hit the side of the boat.
Zayn stopped right in front of her.
Close.
Too close.
Close enough for her to see the muscle ticking in his jaw.
Close enough to smell the salt on his skin.
Close enough for her knees to threaten to give way beneath her.
“Do you have any idea,” he murmured, “how dangerous this is? Sneaking out at night. Running toward the ocean like
