Vanessa's POV

Adrian Sterling pushed the tray aside, and I stepped back almost on instinct.

It wasn't graceful or composed. It was survival.

The air between us thickened, heavy, like something unseen was pressing down on my chest, making it harder to breathe.

I felt him move.

Felt it before I even saw it.

That way he had of walking, slow, certain, like he didn't need to touch you to take control of your body. Every step he took felt like an unspoken command.

And my body… betrayed m