Startled, Emma turned sharply, her heart skipping a beat. Her footing wavered on the unsteady wooden box, and before she could react, the unexpected shock made her lose balance entirely.
"Ah—!" she yelped as the box tipped beneath her feet. Instinctively, her arms flailed, trying to find something to hold onto, but gravity had other plans.
Leon's eyes widened just slightly as he reached out instinctively, his grip on the book loosening as he caught her mid-fall.
Emma landed against his chest with a soft thud, her hands clutching at the front of his shirt to steady herself. For a brief moment, the room was filled with nothing but the sound of their uneven breaths. Her wide eyes met his, and she could feel the rapid thump of his heartbeat beneath her palms.
Leon's arms were firm around her, holding her securely as if it were second nature. "Careful," he muttered, his tone quieter but still edged with frustration.
