Chapter 79

Garcia pulled back, his fingers still lingering near my waist. "Hold on." I blinked, confused by the sudden stop. His voice wasn't cold, but measured and serious. I searched his eyes. "Why? Don't you like it?" I asked, trying to mask my panic with a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. I remembered him kissing me. I thought he would like it. But his reaction confused me. His unreadable gaze met mine as he stepped closer. The space between us disappeared, but he didn't touch me again. "I can see right through you. You're not in the right frame of mind. Something has happened. What is it?" I stood frozen. I hadn't expected him to notice, much less care. I thought I was just a body for him, a plaything. But now, his words softened the steel of his usual demeanor. There was no edge to his voice, only restraint—and a gentleness I didn't think him capable of. "Taking care of my puppy's emotions," he added, "is also the master's duty. Spill it out. What is troubling you?" I swallowed hard;