I'll Eat You Until You're Sobbing

Elena’s Point Of View I bit the inside of my cheek until the taste of blood anchored me. My lips curved again—slow, forced, delicate, as Graham’s gaze flicked up to mine, his attention tightened around me like a noose. Did he see? Could he see through me? “He’ll never know you came just from hearing me breathe.” I nearly choked on the air I swallowed. Around us, glasses clinked, silver cutlery scraped against porcelain, the sound of a toast rippled at the far end of the hall. I sat frozen, hands trembling beneath the tablecloth as across the room Jaxx lifted his glass toward me, his smirk carved deep and wicked. I pressed my thighs together under the table, desperate, trembling, praying no one noticed the way my chest rose and fell too fast. “Don’t you dare break eye contact with me across the room.” My gaze locked on his. My body obeyed before my mind could resist. His stare held me, merciless, consuming. It felt like shackles dragging me closer, and I was drowning in it. The applause