Julian took a shaky breath, and then, against all logic, he pushed his luck. "Maybe… you don't have the ability." His voice was low, edged with false confidence, carefully masking the panic in his chest. His face was unreadable, his expression blank but his heart pounded.
Silence.
Ruby's face twisted into something ugly.
A dark, wicked grin stretched across her lips, and her fingers twitched.
In a single, ruthless movement, she grabbed his wrists and slammed them against the wall above his head.
The wooden wall shook from the impact.
Julian gasped.
His breath hitched as he felt her.
She was too close.
Her body pressed against his, the warmth of her skin burning through his clothes. His pulse raced wildly, betraying him.
"You think I don't have the ability?" she whispered, her voice dripping with venomous amusement.
Julian clenched his jaw, refusing to look away.