Greyson raised a brow. “I am implying nothing. I amstatingthat if everything around you grew suddenly calm, you would immediately become suspicious and prepare for battle.”
Hazel scoffed, though the corner of her mouth betrayed her. “I do not prepare for battle.”
“Mhm.”
“I do not.”
He met her gaze evenly. “My dear, you are bracing yourself as we speak.”
She very pointedly relaxed her shoulders. “What on earth are you talking about? I am entirely at ease.”
“Your pulse,” he murmured as his fingers slid down her wrist, gently pressing on the throbbing revelation, “says otherwise.”
Hazel nearly missed a step. “You cannot possibly know my pulse.”
Greyson tilted his head. “I am holding your hand, am I not?”
Her eyes widened and then, to his surprise, she rallied with startling swiftness.
“Well,” she said, regaining her footing with impressive boldness, “if my pulse is elevated, I assure you it is only because you startled me earlier.”
“I startled you,” he repeated flatly.
“Yes.”
“With what? A compliment?”
Her lips thinned. “It was unexpected.”
“Astonishing.”
“Unnecessary.”
“Entirelynecessary.”
She glared at him. It was a soft glare, more flustered than furious, but she attempted it nonetheless. “You should not say such things if you do not expect me to question them.”
Greyson gave her a look that might have been called severe if not for the faint, unmistakable warmth beneath it. “If I tell you that you are beautiful, I expect you to accept it.”
“Ididaccept it.”
“You argued with it,” he corrected.
“I clarified?—”
“Mhm.”
Hazel’s cheeks flushed again. “You are impossible.”
“And you,” he returned, “are exasperating.”
“Thank you,” she said sweetly, “I do try.”
He barely stopped himself from laughing. A sound escaped him anyway, akin to something he had forgotten how to produce. Hazel’s eyes widened at the unfamiliar noise. Apparently,shehad not expected him to laugh either.
For a dangerous, breathless moment, they simply looked at each other, suspended between irritation and something far warmer. He should not want to pull her closer. She should not be smiling at him like that.
They both seemed to remember this at the same time.
