Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 84

Zinnia felt as if her whole body were still falling, her center of gravity dropping helplessly. Suddenly, something tightened sharply around her waist—a strong arm caught her just in time, hauling her up and into a warm, solid chest.

Heart pounding, breath ragged, Zinnia found herself pressed against Landon. She was still clutching some hard, unfamiliar object she’d grabbed in her panic—completely forgetting to let go.

It wasn’t until a low, teasing chuckle rumbled above her head that she snapped out of her daze. Only then did she realize Landon was holding her, her body wrapped in nothing but a loose bathrobe, the collar having slipped off one shoulder with all the commotion, baring pale skin and a delicate collarbone to the open air.

She glanced down and saw her hand gripping Landon’s—

Belt buckle.

The metal clasp, once fastened, now dangled loosely; that little “clink” she’d heard earlier must’ve been the sound of it coming undone. The two of them, standing so close, her hand unwittingly on his belt—it looked far more intimate than it was meant to be.

Zinnia’s cheeks flushed hot. The buckle in her grasp suddenly felt like a brand, burning her palm. Instinctively, she tried to pull away, but Landon’s large hand covered hers, pressing her hand right back onto the metal.

His laugh was deep and low, a vibration she could feel through his chest. “You undo my belt and then just stop there? You sure you don’t want to take this any further?”

They were standing so close, she could hear the steady, powerful thump of his heart. Her own heartbeat was a wild, unsteady thing, echoing his in a reckless rhythm. She’d thought she’d long since steeled herself against Landon, that she was immune to him. But now—just this simple, unplanned touch had thrown her whole world off balance.

Trying to compose herself, Zinnia made another attempt to slip her hand from his, but Landon wasn’t letting go. “Landon, let me go.”

Just as his mouth found hers, Zinnia’s voice broke through the haze—breathless, desperate, her palm braced against his chest to hold him back.

“Landon.”

He froze, his gaze suddenly sharp and searching.

She steadied her voice, though it trembled at the edges. “That wasn’t part of the agreement.”

Landon blinked, confusion flickering in his eyes. “What?”