Iva froze.
Her words stuck in her throat. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Her mind went completely, utterly blank.
Punishment.
He had said punishment?
She stared at him, waiting for the joke, waiting for the warmth to return to his eyes, waiting for him to pull her into his arms and tell her he was just messing with her.
But the warmth didn't come.
Caleb leaned back in the chair, his gaze never leaving hers. He crossed his arms over his chest, the muscles in his forearms flexing, and waited.
"I asked you a question, little mate."
The endearment—usually so soft—sounded different on his tongue now. Sharper. More dangerous.
Her heart pounded so hard she could feel it in her temples.
"I—" Her voice cracked. She tried again. "I don't—"
"You don't know?" He tilted his head sli
