Skylar

The moment I step into the secure room, my senses spiral out of control. The heat surging through me makes my skin prickle with a discomfort I can't shake off. My breath hitches as the air, laced with Alaric's scent, wraps around me like an invisible cloak, heavy and intoxicating. It feels as though every nerve ending is on fire, each whisper of fabric against my skin an unbearable friction.

"Easy, Skyler," Alaric murmurs, his voice a soothing balm in the chaos of my ...