I swallowed again, but my throat stayed dry. Ezra’s fingers were still on my jaw, still guiding my face up to his like he owned every inch of space between us. He didn’t look angry anymore, he looked certain, like he already knew the answer but wanted to hear me crumble with it.

“Ezra…” I tried again, but it came out too soft, too shaky. Useless.

He leaned in until our foreheads touched, his breath warm against my mouth. “You didn’t answer me.”

I shut my eyes, trying to steady ...