a's

to the far corne

r and leaned against

terrupt s

e you do

my p

y room

en b

ike me to leave, then

ze dropped from his eyes to his lips, then to his hands. They were large, with long, lean

I said, swallowing hard as I

ands into his pockets. I met his dark gaze, my lips parting involuntarily. H

c screamed at me not to give in. I couldn

im toward the door. In one stride, he closed the

ou scared, love?" His voice was low, his hand brushing lightly agai

was maddeningly close. I shook my head in response. He circled behind me, his fingers grazing my bare shoulder as

ing the shell of my ear. Heat spread through

h against my skin sending shivers down my spine. I fought with every shred of cont

s voice a low rumble. If my heartbea

you're nev

t didn't push me awa

e not that s

H

sound sent another

I

nst his chest. I gasped, melting into his touch as his hands slid from

silently granting him access. My head fell back onto his shoulder as t

ng me crazy,"

's voice shatt

ld see him. My eyes widened in horror as I felt the strings of my bikini

t lacing his voice. I glanced over my shoulder to see my string

tepping closer as the door handle beg

Killian scooped me up and carried me to

ranny cal

er her," Killian mutt

oom!" I called ou

ou alr

you!" I heard her steps retreating and sighed in relief, burying my face

le timing," Kil

lding, "This is all your fault!

to kill you

love. I won't even f

gle the strings. I caught sight of our reflection, his focused expression sending heat flooding

ck, right where... I jumped, spinning around to face him, my hand instinctively flying to cover

d quickly, trying to r

His hand reached out, and he gently brushed my hair aside, revealing the scars again in the mirror. His fingers traced the rai

, his voice low

ating the vulnerability

tight lump forming in my throat. It wasn't the first time my scars

understand

cing a scoff to cover the sting in th

ntered, his tone softening just enough to make me falte

lied, glaring. "And it's

nd my thighs to lift me onto the counter. He leaned in, trapping

tolerate lies," he said, his voic

." "Killian-" My voice trembled, hating

You can tell me, or I can find out o

y does it matter to you? What right do you have?" I shoved at his chest, but he didn't move-he wa

tion. "What is it to you?" Tears pricked at the corne

apped around his waist. For a moment, there was no space, no air, just us-his touch, his heat, his demand. When he pulled back, his forehead rested against mine a

ice firm yet tender. He raised his head, meeting m

name,

," I whispered, my resolve

ho

ling about where