Chapter: 69

I pulled back slowly and caught her wrists, gently stilling her. "Celeste..."

She exhaled and looked at me, her expression already shifting. "What now?"

"I can't," I said, my voice barely held together. "Not tonight."

Her face fell. Just slightly at first-a flicker of disbelief. Then, something deeper.

"You can't..." Hurt. Quiet, raw, and rising fast. "Or you don't want to?"