"But I've practically seen you grow up. It would be… strange for us to be together," Riley said, his voice deliberately calm, though the faint hesitation in his words betrayed the weakness of the excuse.
Anastasia tilted her head slightly, her deep, sapphire eyes never leaving his.
"I know," she said, her tone low and steady, yet carrying a teasing edge.
"But that was at least countless trillions years ago, Riley. That girl you knew is long gone. I'm a woman now—a big woman." Her lips curved into the faintest smile, and a playful light flickered in her gaze.
"Or…" she leaned forward ever so slightly, "…would you like proof of just how grown I am, master?"
She rose from her seat in a slow, deliberate movement, her white dress flowing around her like a tide of snow and silk.
The fabric hugged her figure just enough to hint at the dangerous beauty beneath, every fold and ripple of the cloth whispering secrets of the body it concealed.
