Page 21 (1/2)

That s he’d ever heard "I think you’re beautiful," he admitted softly "And smart And brave" And so sexy he would have killed a thousand men and thrown them at her feet just for the chance to woo herif only he’d been the man he used to be

Her eyes widened "You do?"

"Ao" He forced hiainst the softness of the mattress

She scooted away, as if she feared ould happen next

"I’ to force myself on you, you have my word" Gentle Easy "You stay on your side of the bed, and I’ll stay on mine, and you’ll leave in the same condition you entered" And she would be the first

"It’s still i to sway uished the la Then she fluffed her pillow and settled under the covers

A breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding slipped free

He peered up at the darkened ceiling, inhaling the sweetness of her scent, holding it, holding it as long as he could, unwilling to give it up until the last possible second For the first tiht actually be able to fall asleep, to actually rest, and yet, he resisted Tink would never be witness to his nightmares

He could lash out She could try to comfort him In a dazed state, he could hurt her

He would rather die than hurt her

Annndhisto do with the past Tink was here, in his bed Within reach All he had to do was stretch out his arm, and his hand could cup the fullness of her breast Then, slide lower Lower still Surely he would not have an adverse reaction to such innocuous contact She was dressed, after all

Still She ht actually ask for ue to the roof of his mouth

Time for a distraction "Sowhat’s the naht you didn’t want to know"

"I changed my mind Apparently that’s allowed in our relationship"

The sheets rustled as she turned "Cataclysmic for Kane"

He told his?"

"I ht have stumbled into oneby accident"

"How et lost very easily so to tell h left her "It doesn’thappened between Synda and me"

"A naked Synda," she muttered

He wanted to tell her the truth But ould happen if he had to do sooal? The truth would then beco all his options open But the nail in the coffin? A part of hieoing to tell you I’ve never ined her features scrunched up in what she probably hoped was a snobby expression "You’re going to hurt so bad when you’re whipped for talking toand I cae toomy words"

She muttered a few more choice nah, I suppose She lives for the ets her every promise In a feeeks, another man will catch her attention and you’ll be left with a broken heart"

Resentrip on the pillow to stop fro for her "Ime she broke your heart, too"

She hmphed, as if he were crazy

"Well?"

Shecircles on the sheet, because her knuckles brushed against one of his nipples The contact electrified him, and he nearly shot off the bed

"Maybe she did," Tink said, unaware "Long ago she promised to protect ht stealing horses fro Harpies It started a war, and punished away to be whipped"

The story doused his lust "I’ for her "I really am"

"Thank you"

Did she look as sad and exhausted as she had sounded? "I’s better for you, Tink," he vowed Sohed "I’ll believe it when I see it"

"No faith in me?"

"No faith in anyone"