Page 58 of Second Sin

Then his hand moves. Just slightly.

The back of it brushes mine.

It’s nothing. It’s everything.

A spark shoots straight through me—low, hot, and immediate.

His hand stays near mine. Not pressing. Not pushing. Justthere.

I want to curl my fingers into his. Slide our palms together and feel what it’s like not to hold this ache alone.

The elevator slows. A soft jolt underfoot.

Floor fifteen.

The doors begin to open.

He doesn’t move.

Just stands there, eyes forward, breath shallow. Then he exhales—slow, rough—and turns toward me just enough that I see the edge of his jaw tighten.

“Goodnight, Olivia.”

It’s quiet. Controlled.

He steps out.

He’s barely past the threshold when his name tears out of me.

“Sebastian.”It’s breathy. Raw. Laced with more than I meant to say.

He stops.

The doors start to close.

But his hand shoots out—fast, sure—slamming against the edge to stop them.

They slide back open.

His hand braces on the doors, chest rising and falling like he’s standing in a fight he doesn’t know how to win. His eyes find mine—and for a second, neither of us says a thing.

My throat tightens. The words are there, clawing their way up.

I don’t plan them. Don’t rehearse. I just let them slip, low and raw, before I can stop myself.

“Don’t go.”

CHAPTER 21

SEBASTIAN

Idon’t let go of the door.

My fingers stay locked around the edge—white-knuckled, straining like I can hold the line just a second longer.

But I’m not fooling myself.

Not with the way she’s looking at me. Eyes wide, chest rising like she’s trying not to break in half. A raw, unguardedneedthat cuts through every excuse I’ve been clinging to.

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