Page 16 of Traitor

He's been watching me all night.

Even when he was focused on unpacking the food, even when he made a joke that had me laughing against his shoulder, he was watching.

Now, in the quiet of the night, I feel the full weight of his attention.

"You look nervous," he murmurs.

I swallow, pressing my fingers into the soft fabric of the blanket beneath me. Not nervous. Just... unsteady.

I shake my head. "I'm not."

His mouth tugs into a knowing smirk. "Liar."

I exhale a soft laugh, shaking my head, but I don't deny it.

Because how the hell am I supposed to, when he's looking at me like that?

Like he's already decided we belong together. Like he's just waiting for me to figure it out, too. The space between us is small, but it feels heavy. Electric.

He moves first.

A shift of his weight, a slow roll of muscle as he leans toward me, his hand brushing my thigh, a featherlight touch that sends a shiver down my spine.

"You've accepted to date me," he murmurs, his fingers trailing higher, teasing the frayed edges of my jean shorts. "You realize what that means?"

I tilt my head slightly. "What does it mean?"

His eyes darken, stormy blue-grey, fixed on mine like I'm the only thing in the universe.

"It means I don't share," he says simply.

My breath catches.

He lifts a hand, fingers sliding into my hair, curling at the nape of my neck, his thumb dragging slow circles against my skin.

I should feel trapped.

But I feel anchored.

Held in place by a man who can make me lose my mind with just one look.

"You’re with me now," he murmurs.

It's not a question.

It's a declaration.

I should argue. I should tell him we’d better slow down.

But the words don't come.

Because I want it. I want this man.

I let out a shaky breath, tilting my head slightly, pressing my cheek into his palm. "You move fast."

He smirks, the corner of his mouth tilting up just enough to make my stomach flip.

"When I know what I want, I go for it."

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