Emilio’s POV He didn’t. Instead, he looked at me slowly, like he’d been waiting for something exactly like that to happen — like my tiny, accidental touch had confirmed something he already knew. His eyes softened, but that small smile stayed on his lips, just a faint little curve. Somehow it made my stomach twist, like someone had tied a knot in it and pulled. “You’re jumpy tonight,” he murmured. I tried to speak — really, I did — but the moment I opened my mouth, nothing came out. My throat felt tight, like it had forgotten how to work. I could feel my heartbeat pressing up against it, loud and obvious. Sinclair let out a soft, warm laugh, the kind that rolled out of him slowly and made the air feel heavier. “Relax, sugar,” he said. “I’m not gonna bite. Unless you want me to.” The

