My pulse jumped as he said those words—deep, deliberate, and far too calm to be harmless.

My fingers instinctively reached for the handle, trying to escape the moment. It didn’t budge. Of course it didn’t. This was Shawn Wolfe’s car—everything down to the tires was automatic.

Shawn noticed my retreat. His gaze flicked toward my hand with cool amusement.

“Are you trying to run away?” he asked, voice silky and slow. “Go ahead. Try.”

I froze. My heart was pounding so loudly I ...