Hazel’s POV
“And why should I go with you?” I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I intended.
The atmosphere between us thickened instantly, the air growing heavy and charged. We stared at each other—blue eyes locked on brown—neither of us willing to look away first. The tension felt alive, crackling like electricity just before a storm.
Nicholas didn’t answer with words.
Instead, he brought my hand to his lips again, but this time it was different. Slower. More deliberate. His tongue darted out and licked a slow, wet line across my knuckles. A shiver ran straight down my spine, hot and unexpected.
He whispered, voice dropping low and rough, “Maybe because I’m hot.”
I raised an eyebrow, trying to look unimpressed even though my pulse was racing.
He didn’t stop.
“Or maybe becaus
