Chapter 42: Second Affinity?
Ren’s grip on Lia didn’t loosen right away.
She didn’t squirm either.
They were still standing on the stairs, his arm securely wrapped around her waist, her soft body pressed against his chest like she belonged there.
His eyes met hers... and stayed there. No one said anything. No one moved. Just the intense sound of two hearts refusing to calm down.
Ren wasn’t even breathing hard from the effort of catching her. He wasn’t thinking about the weight of her or the steps or the dorms behind them. His entire attention was pinned on her.
Her eyes, slightly widened at first, didn’t dart away. Instead, they held his.
The air between them tightened like an invisible string pulled taut. Electricity buzzed. Her pupils dilated just a little.
Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but she didn’t. Her body hadn’t moved from his touch. She wasn’t pulling back.
That’s when Ren knew.
She’s not just flustered. She’s receptive.
Every micro-expression told him something; her soft inhale, the slow, unguarded way she blinked, the tilt of her head, how her breathing quickened just a touch.