Lara's instincts kicked in the moment Serisa's breath ghosted across her cheek.
"Whoa—" she twisted sideways, narrowly avoiding the kiss by a hair's breadth, planting one hand between them like a shield.
"Okay, okay, we are definitely not in a 'stab me and call me Captain' dynamic anymore."
Serisa blinked, eyes glassy, lips parted, clearly still in the thick of whatever magical haze was messing with her.
But she didn't back off. Oh no. She stepped forward again, and Lara practically climbed the bedpost like a cornered cat.
"Back. Back I say," Lara whispered, grabbing a pillow and jamming it between them. "This is not how seduction works! You're supposed to flirt first, mock my posture, pretend you're not interested—build-up, Princess!"
Serisa blinked again. Then, with unnerving precision, she grabbed the pillow and flung it across the room.
"I was going to burn that anyway," she said hoarsely.
"Okay, now I'm scared and flattered," Lara muttered.
