Chapter 19
Yuki blinked, his brain momentarily short-circuiting at her question. Did she just...?
He stood frozen for a beat, eyes flicking to her trembling fingers grasping the apron strings at her back. She wasn't looking at him—her gaze was locked on the sink, but the flush on her cheeks had deepened. He stepped closer, slowly, as if any sudden move might spook her.
"You want me to... help you?" he asked, voice low, cautious.
She gave a tiny nod. "It's stuck or something."
Yuki swallowed hard, lifting his hands toward the knotted fabric. His fingers brushed against the small of her back, and he swore he felt her shiver beneath his touch.
"You're burning up," he murmured.
"That's just the stove," she whispered too quickly, clearly lying.
Yuki smirked. "Right. The stove."
His fingers worked deftly, but the knot didn't want to cooperate. Or maybe he didn't. The longer he lingered, the more aware he became of her—her scent, the curve of her neck, the way her breath hitched just slightly.
"There," he said at last, pulling the apron free. "All done."
She turned to face him, still not meeting his eyes. "Thanks."