t o

ntained fury. Donovan wrenched his wrist from her so

m like a frightened puppy that had just been kicked. Hiding behind the bedroom door, she listened

a fresh towel around his wais

the bed, wrapped in a duvet like a bur

around to her side and, in one swift motion,

f panic escaped her lips.

With a flick of his wrist, he threw the bear across t

ce were genuine. Barnaby was her lifeline. Her too

novan was faster. He lay down on the edge of the mattres

and flicked off the l

ball, her shoulders shaking with small, heartbroken sobs. She could feel his presence beside he

bs quieted, her breathing evening

t to relax when he felt a shift in the mattress. A small, warm body roll

o shove her away when she murmured somethi

calling f

breath warm against his skin.

, desolate fear-the sound of a c

-air. This woman-who was a little demon of chaos when awake-was so

ered in the cold darkness of his h

lowing her to hold onto him as if he were a life raft in a storm. Her st

leep. His mind wa

the curtains. He felt the woman beside him stir.

her head resting on his shoulder. He was already "awak

d as if burned, scrambling to the far side of th

as ever. "You're awake," he stated, his voice cool and