[Ovelia's POV]
The moment Ace's lips left mine, the world rushed back in a dizzying wave. My fingers instinctively rose to touch my tingling lips as I stared at him, my cheeks burning.
"Why did you—" The words came out in a rush, my voice thin and shaky. I cleared my throat, trying again, but the question had already dissolved into the air between us.
"Sorry," he said, the word flat and unrepentant. "It's my wolf." He grinned—and there was nothing apologetic about that grin.
A glance at Ray and Ann revealed their poorly concealed amusement—Ray's shoulders shook with silent laughter while Ann pretended sudden fascination with the passing trees. My face burned hotter.
"We're almost at Apple Forest!" Ray announced with boyish enthusiasm, deftly changing the subject.
"Apple Forest?" I latched onto the distraction gratefully.
