Mira stood frozen, unable to form a single word. Her mouth opened, closed, then opened again, but her voice betrayed her, refusing to come out. Heat climbed her neck, flooding her cheeks with a heavy mix of humiliation and rising fury.

Derek’s confusion shifted, hardening into something darker. A slow, disbelieving smile crept across his face, followed by a short, humorless laugh.

“Don’t tell me you use these to satisfy your urges,” he said, his voice edged with mockery.

Panic flared ...