Page 79 of Silver Fox Puck

I don’t move. Not because I’m trying to push her—but because she doesn’t mean it.

I see it in the way her grip digs into the countertop. In the way her chest rises just a little too fast. In the way she isn’t looking at the door.

I could leave.

I could walk out right now. Give her the space she’s so damn desperate to convince herself she needs.

But if I do that—I lose her. And that? Not an option.

So, instead, I take my time. A step. Then another. Measured. Deliberate. Watching the way her breath catches. She knows what’s coming. She just doesn’t know how to stop it.

And when I finally reach her, my voice is low. Certain. “I’m not going anywhere, Flight.”

Her throat moves in a slow swallow. And I watch her break right in front of me. Kenzie doesn’t say a word. But she doesn’t need to.

She’s clinging to the counter like it’s a lifeline. Her breathing is uneven. And her entire body is tensed like she’s about to break.

She’s trying to hold onto something. Some imaginary boundary between us.

Like if she keeps telling herself to stay on one side of it, she won’t have to deal with what’s happening on the other.

But the reality is that boundary doesn’t exist anymore.

Not after what we did. Not after she looked at Olivia—and bolted. I take another step forward. Deliberate. Slow.

She doesn’t move.

Not away.

Not closer.

She just waits.

For me to break the silence. So I do.

“You’re scared.”

Her chin lifts slightly, her nails digging into the countertop. “Bullshit.”

I let out a low, rough chuckle. “No, Flight. That’s exactly what this is.”

She draws a breath like she’s got a comeback locked and loaded.

But I don’t let her.

I keep going.

“You saw her,” I murmur. “You saw Olivia, and it hit you.”

Her jaw tightens.

“You realized this wasn’t just sex. That it never was. That this isn’t just some casual, no-strings, no-names thing.”

Her eyes flash. “Grant—”

I step closer. “And that scared the absolute hell out of you.”

She snaps.

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