Ruby’s POV

It happened so fast I barely processed it. It wasn’t a real kiss, just the lightest contact. But it jolted me, like static beneath the skin and I froze.

He did too.

The moment stretched thin. His eyes found mine, startled, unreadable, but he still held me.

Heat crawled up my neck, and I pulled back quickly, pretending it hadn’t happened.

My heart was racing. And for a second, all I could focus on was how close we were and how good it felt.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, brushing at my ...