viev

k as rainwater poured down my face, washing awa

st with both hands, spun around, and bolted

path. Every time I blinked, I saw Dedric's mouth on K

rides, though he did not grab me again. He stayed half a step to my lef

nees hit a deep puddle, splashing icy water over my coat, and I stood in the rain, chest he

head and shoulders, wrapping me in the wa

in front of me. He gripped my chin with

? If you're

and the hard set of his jaw. The hysteria choking my ches

his is just rainwater.I never cry

rprise, maybe, or pleasure. Then he stood and held out his

und my freezing ones, and led me off the main road t

ock. Crawford moved like he owned the place, pulling a matte-blac

t to the VIP suites. Crawford stopped in front of a pair of double walnut

hting up a living room that cost more per night than my monthly lab budget.

, walked to the wall panel to turn up the heat, an

er. Don't make m

use clung to my collarbone. His jaw tightened for half a s

marble bathroom and locked the door. I stood under the scalding spra

y to put on. I wrapped a thick white bath sheet around m

r facing the fire with a glass of neat whiskey in

to my bare calves below the towel. Th

up, pulled a crisp black dress shirt from

had room servi

the sofa, and slipped it on over the towel before dropping

g of steaming black tea. His knuckles brushed the bac

lms as I stared into the flames. Two years of swallowing Dedric's in

he thick rug right beside my knees, leaning his broad back ag

g. Ten minutes passed before I s

you hel

, the firelight cutting sharp

e. On paper, at least.They took us for fools.

in his pockets, looking less like a benched

quietly, his eyes on the flames. "Top of your class. Publishable research.

like a vampire. He drained the best years of

re was a fire burning in his

serable life ma