{Third Person POV}
Tessa and Rowan entered her house through the side door, the one that led directly to the family quarters rather than the main receiving area where her grandfather might be entertaining or working.
Before Tessa could take more than three steps toward her room, Rowan's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.
Not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough to stop her.
"What. Was. That?"
His voice was low, hissed through clenched teeth.
Tessa turned to face him, her expression shifting from the casual amusement she'd worn outside to something more guarded.
"What was what?"
"Don't." Rowan's jaw was tight enough that the muscle jumped visibly.
"Don't play dumb with me, Tess. You were practically sitting in his lap out there."
"I was sitting on the ground next to him," she corrected, her tone going defensive. "There's a difference."
"You're deliberately doing this." It wasn't a question.
