Chapter 8 · I know exactly what I'm asking for

"I know exactly what I'm asking for."

I caught his wrist and pulled him toward the stabilizer chair built into the wall.

It had been designed for one person. The contract changed it as we approached. A second restraint unfolded beside the first.

Adrian stared at the chair, then at me. "You planned this?"

"I planned to search your records. I didn't plan for you to keep dying in front of me."

"You kissed me to break the loop."

"I kissed you because your heart stopped."

"Your mouth was on mine before my heart stopped."

I shoved him into the chair. "Do you want to argue about the exact second you became unbearable?"

"I want you to admit you wanted to."

His voice dropped on the last word.

The distance between us shrank to barely a handspan. His knees brushed mine. Heat seeped through our clothes. He smelled like iron, bitter coffee, and the sharp clean sting of the stabilizer burning along his skin.

I didn't move.

Neither did he.

"You're confused," I said.

"I'm not."

"You almost died three times."

"Four."

"That doesn't make you charming."

"I wasn't trying to be charming."

"That's the problem.