Meadow

alm the storm inside me. I slapped a few crumpled bills onto the sticky table and

ender fingers. A strange, unexpected jolt of heat shot

, they flinched and ducked their heads, refusing to meet his gaze. The

, sobriety and sanity tried to reassert themselves. What was I doing? I trie

lly, but with an undeniable finality. "Too late for regr

down a dark, narrow alley. I felt a flicker of fear, but he walked with such confidence that I followed.

y bowed their heads in deep, unquestioning

mind. What kind of Rogue commands that kind of deference? But the thought

or. The lobby was a study in understated luxury, all dark wood a

he small space became charged with his presence. His scent was everywhere, his powerful aura pressing in on me, mak

ows revealed a panoramic view of the squalid little town below, its sad lights twinkling like

crystal decanter on a sidebar, pouring tw

ke a spark of static electricity, shot through me again. It was the "Sparks," the

the world that had become my prison. I

uestion I'd suppress

ice was a low whisper against my hair. "Tonight, I am just a man who needs to feel somethi

simple terms of our agreement. A bitter, self-mocking smil

e in one long swallow, and set the em

ce steady now, filled with a r

re complex, unreadable emotion-crossed his eyes.

traightened my back, and met his adva

went rigid as his fingers brushed against the edge of my leather mask.

second before sliding down to cup

er of worn leather, he kissed me. The pressure o

g in my hair as he deepened the kiss. A low growl rumbled in his chest, a

the mask, his breath hot. "It's