ight than a simple greeting. There was

hange between Dayna and

ity, Vincent drew Dayna close and

n silence, tension fillin

d if Michael's sudden appearance had rattled him. P

lled to speak up. "We just planned a simple dinner with ol

hed for a small shopping bag and set

n surprise as she

s work kept him away most of the time. Still, he never

oned if he was

her hands. Unsure, she bit down on h

sed, head resting on the seat, making

little, letting the night air brush against her skin an

erts, her father, seized on the family's old agreement with the Clarkes, insisting she honor the childhoo

ing she could accept. At the same time, her relationship with Michael had been rocky. He was unpredictable, overwhelmed by

yed cool and reserved. Conversation between them wa

Bay had become her new

and settled in its spot, David Cooper glanced

announcement, just in time to hear Vincent

, David stepped out and dis

r, but Vincent's fingers circ

ht her tumbling ri

er knees bent, landing her a

up, but Vincent refused to let go. His hand pressed firmly at her back, bringing her even closer until thei

ing with embarrassment and anticipation. She understo

ed her chin, lifted her face, and captu

ar into a private pocket of darkness where their moveme

distance. Vincent had never been subtle about what he wanted, but he

the kiss deepening until it stole her sense of place. An ar

hen he finally pulled away, her lips felt te

had no choice but to meet his eyes. His voice came out low and r

f alcohol, Dayna could

. He was controlled, com

ghtened around her waist before she could finish a sing

uth, dark and assessing. "Y

, unable t

say about that?"

lower lip as her hand

g up in the emergency room. The call went straight to Vincent, and he left an important meet

sn't sure if Michael's sudden return played a p

ension beneath his calm surfaced in the way his fingers tightened, drifting lower until