The air between them tightened.
Theo shouldn't have reacted as Thaddeus, but her whole body betrayed her. Her pulse leapt, her cheeks heated, and every nerve in her skin jolted alive.
Zeke felt it. She saw it at the exact same second he did. Because his nostrils flared and his pupils expanded. And his fingers twitched against her arm, like her reaction hit him somewhere primal.
He froze. Completely.
Theo's heart hammered, "Zeke…?"
His gaze snapped to hers. His eyes flicked down to her lips, and his gaze darkened with hunger. His lips quivered, and he leaned closer to her. His breath heated against her, his scent wrecking her senses and she shivered again.
"Wh...what are you..." She managed out shakily.
He inhaled a sharp breath and then pressed his forehead against hers instead. His body temperature had spiked too much, and his breath came out in guttural exhales.
"This—" he breathed, his voice tight, "—is why you shouldn't ask,"
