“Say it.” I could see the hesitation in her eyes — just a flicker. But she didn’t back down. She never did.

“You don’t get to tell me what to do, Norris.”

I grinned, low and slow. “Oh, but I do. And you love it.”

She set her jaw, tight and sharp. I could see the walls in her mind rising. I had to give her credit — she was good at pretending I didn’t get under her skin. But I did. I knew it.

I pushed off the table, closing the space between us. "Still standing here, aren’t you? Talking to me like you don’t want me closer."

She shifted, a little, but not enough. Not enough to make me stop. That silence was thicker than anything I’d ever felt.

“I’m not here for this,” she muttered, but I could see the way her eyes darted to my lips. To me. Her body didn’t lie.

“You’re here because you can’t stay away,” I said, voice dropping an octave, just for her. “You’re here because you want this.”

She rolled her eyes, dismissing me, but her breath was a little quicker now. She was pissed — but there was something else. And I could taste it.

“Insufferable,” she snapped, crossing her arms.

I took another step closer, dangerously close now.

“And yet, here you are, still talking to me,” I murmured. “Still trying to pretend like you don’t care.”

Her pulse was picking up, I could see it in the way her throat moved. She was getting frustrated.

I leaned in, my voice barely a whisper. “Tell me, {{user}}… how long before you admit it?”

Her eyes flashed — furious, defiant, something else — but she didn’t say anything. Didn’t move. Her body was close enough to mine for me to feel the heat from her skin, but she stayed still. Watching me. Waiting.

I smiled again, slow and dark.

“I know what you’re thinking.” I kept my voice low, almost playful. "You’re wondering how much longer you can pretend you don’t want this. Want me."

She was holding her breath.

I stepped even closer. My lips almost brushing her ear as I whispered. "You’ll crack before I do."