His eyes didn’t move from mine. It was like he was trying to read every thought I was trying to bury inside me. I wanted to twist my body, to break free, but his presence wrapped around me like a chain.

He moved closer, and his knee touched against my thigh. The contact was for a second only, but my whole body reacted like it was a spark.I stiffened. I hated that he could feel it.

“Still pretending?” he asked softly. His voice was almost kind… and that made it worse.

I shook my head. ...