ora

faces were still far too close, breaths tangled, shared air warm and uneven. I co

to the hollow of my throat, as if he were grou

swallowed, my throat suddenly dry, my body painfully aware

o stop," h

mething raw beneath it, something

my fingers tightened arou

you" I w

time to change my mind. His knuckles brushed my cheek first, Hi

angerous,

nd of touch that made my skin come alive. My pulse

ickname sent a rush of heat through me, m

our noses brushing. He tilted his head slightly,

lips were ab

d at the same time. He looked back at me and then I glare

nds trembling as I reached for the button. The glass sl

tood outsi

arpened into a familiar outline. I reached for the han

" I br

like she'd been searching every dark corner of the city and

her voice breaking on my

checking for bruises or proof of every w

"Over and over. Why didn't you answer? I th

r eyes shif

d just nearly kissed m

is going on?"

ld answer, s

car with you? Aurora, are you o

t," I sai

licked back to

." she sa

she s

.." she

every detail, just exactly what I needed, a best

," I insisted. "

n't look

idn't flinch, didn't even shift in his seat. He simply wa

only for me. "I was really worried. Your father want

ppened between you and Eth-" I

re said everything; You're explaining

t my car," she said brightly.

g me, using the momen

th him, I can totally understand,"

back instantly, shoot

y grinn

taliate, his voic

ow, Princess," He interrupted us."

cing calm into my voice, ev

shining armor" Em

r now,

hed to m

is expression softened just enough to unsettle

e nodd

the engine. I watched as the car pulled away, taillig

enter the ca

through the streets, the city

mily didn't speak. She didn't need to. I could

I exhal

. "Before you

almost kissed a stran

inc

," she continued. "A dange

watching the city slide

orted

"He helped me. When some men were followi

you wanted him,

ld be dangerous and

d. "It's al

still. His eyes kept flashing in my mind. The way his voice sounded when he spoke

ay, a sudden realization hit m

ai

owned.

t get hi

tared ahead, my heart doing som