Emily Blair tried to process what Tristan Davis had just said, but her mind suddenly went blank.

She stared at him, forcing herself to really look-maybe if she studied his face hard enough, she'd understand what was going on.

Tristan pressed his lips together after he spoke, looking utterly composed, the picture of calm self-control. He watched Emily with the same impassive gaze a judge might wear in court—completely oblivious to the weight of the words he'd just dropped on her.

But...

It was impossible not to notice the bright flush coloring the tips of his ears.

Emily's heart, which had only just begun to settle, started racing all over again. Heat crept up her cheeks.

He kept his gaze locked on her, and it was almost too much. She felt a wild mix of embarrassment and annoyance.

What was even happening?

He'd kissed her out of nowhere, then just blurted it out like that.

Now he stood there, bold and confident in his confession, while she-the one being confessed to-seemed even more flustered and lost than he was.

Frowning, Emily bit her lip. "Why are you doing this so suddenly?"

"Suddenly?" Tristan's voice was low, almost rough. "Everyone around you can see it. Why won't you look at me?"

Emily blinked. "What?"

He dropped his voice even more, and his words felt heavy. "You see Andrew Lane. You see Albert Rivera. But you never see me."

She fell silent for a moment, then managed a faint, "Oh..."

Suddenly, Tristan leaned down and, as if venting his frustration, gave her lower lip a sharp nip.

"Ow!" Emily yelped, instinctively pushing him away. "You bit me again!"

He just stared at her, his gaze unreadable.

Then, out of nowhere, he asked, "When I kissed you just now, why didn't you push me away?"

Emily's face went crimson.

God, when he kissed her, her brain had completely shut down. She hadn't even had time to think, let alone resist.

Even now, her mind was a tangled mess.

She felt like she was suffocating. All she wanted was to escape.

Someone, please help me.

Tristan pressed on, his voice a deep, rumbling threat. "Did you like it when I kissed you?"

He leveled a serious look at her, expression calm, eyes searching, those red ears betraying every bit of his composure.

Did she like it too? Did that mean he liked it?

Emily's heart pounded in her chest. She was practically gasping for breath, her eyes darting around in panic.

Somebody get me out of here.

He didn't let up. "Answer me."

Her hand fumbled against the leather seat, searching for something to grip, anything to anchor herself.

"Did you?" Tristan leaned down, his lips dangerously close to hers. "Say something. If you don't, I'll really kiss you again."

Emily pressed her lips together in a tight line, lifting her hand to push against his shoulder.

"Y-you need to calm down."

Without hesitation, Tristan nipped her again.

Emily was on the verge of tears. "What am I even supposed to say?"

"Has Albert Rivera ever kissed you like this?"

That got a bigger reaction out of her than any of his kisses. “Of course not! What are you even thinking?!"

Tristan's lips twitched in a fleeting smirk. "What about Andrew Lane?"

Emily glanced away, refusing to answer.

He got the message loud and clear.

Jaw clenched, he glared at her lips, frustration burning in his eyes. "Tell me did you like it when I kissed you?"

Emily was losing her mind.

What does that look even mean? If I say I didn't like it, does that mean he'll just try again?