"Aren't you going to congratulate me?"

The soft pad of his finger lingered on my jaw.

His tone was light, almost teasing, but there was something off about his warmth. Too measured. Like he was studying how close he could get before I broke.

"You made quite a performance out there." My voice came out breathier than I wanted.

His lips curved. "It's strategy. Something you understand, don't you?"

The words landed heavy. My chest tightened.

He knows. Had I left traces?

His gaze studied mine ...