had faded, and the bodies of the rogues were ash

e heat

th a cloth still damp from the shower. Ember sat on the

oved under his skin, the way his dark hai

't afrai

as watching with interest, p

tur

e didn'

yes, but restraint. That careful contr

you," he s

d her hea

ep toward her. "Y

't wan

her

ive wire. Her body responded on insti

is hand brushing back a damp strand

m. Her fingers slid along his bare stomach. He tensed unde

ng," she whispered. "But I

t angry, not poss

e kiss

this time. N

sn't

restraint. His hands framed her face, slid down her arms, her waist. Her bo

fought-focused, ra

broke apart, she

he said, v

ob

trailing fire down her throat. Her sweater rode up. His lips pa

ar

sed ea

" he said. "Don't

reath

e whispered.

go further

. And when sleep came, it found her safe and warm, pressed

er, counted every heartbea

could b

, they