gap in the heavy velvet curtains,

ure. For the first time in two years, he hadn't woken up drenched in cold sweat from nightmares of falling heli

ch his right arm.

is shoulder. One of her legs was thrown heavily across his paralyzed thighs. Her arm was wrapped tig

aised his left hand, fully int

e rubbed her cheek against his che

ght knot in his chest loosened. With a quiet sigh, he lowered his hand. He grabbed

wo of them tangled together, her mouth tightened into a thin line, but a flicker of satisfaction crossed her eyes. "Did you sleep well last night, Charlton?" she asked, h

k one look at Elizabet, let out a squeak of

orgiann. He glared at his mother, his voice cracking like a

of dark circles under his eyes. She nodded briskly.

hey sat at the small

l. She shoved eggs and toast into her mout

ust. Yet, without thinking, he picked up his fork an

p at him. A massive, radiant smile broke across her face.

He quickly looked away, picking up his black

ght. The strange, deep comfort her body provi

iece of bacon hang

re?" he asked, his dark

n her chest. Did she slip up? She tilted her head, chewed loudly, and

sound, rarely used. It was a stupid answer, b

cket of her oversized nightgown and pulled out a cheap, plastic-wrapp

g. But the expectant look in her eyes was a strange, compelling force he hadn't felt in years

ry flavor exploded on h

d, her eyes wide

corner of his mouth lift

the table, and ran toward the mass

inst his lips, tasting the lingering sweetness. The cold, e