Page 31 (1/2)

"You’re awake," he said without opening his eyes His deep voice wrapped around her and s resonate in response

Helen felt a little shiver race through her skin "Ifelt you Felt your grief"

"I’ to block you out"

She could see a subtle tension running through his liht She couldn’t see why he struggled, but she could feel his tightly held control She wasn’t sure what he was holding back, but whatever it was, it was powerful enough tobody tre, but she wasn’t sure how to help him She wasn’t even convinced he wanted her help "Maybe you should share it"

"Not this, Helen The good things, yes, but not this I’ the connection we have yet, but I’ better"

She wasn’t sure whether she was rateful for it "I haven’t tried blocking it Didn’t know I could"

He still hadn’t opened his eyes yet and she was beginning to wonder if she’d interrupted so--some ritual maybe She was just about to excuse herself and leave hi when he spoke "You really shouldn’t try to keep me out"

"So it’s okay for you to do it, but not nant, but couldn’t help it

"Precisely"

"Sounds a bit chauvinistic to me"

"Not chauvinistic Practical That link is there for a reason"

"What reason could there possibly be for a oes one way? It sounds like some kind of baby aze and looked at her Really looked at her His gaze went froain, and by the tiolden eyes had darkened to a rich brown "No You’re all woman, Helen Don’t think I haven’t noticed"

She was not going to respond to that with anything that wouldn’t embarrass her more, so she stayed silent

Drake continued "I’hts in battle so that I can position myself most effectively, anticipate your actions If I don’t know your o?"

"You think I’o? In a battle?" What a ridiculous thought

"Yes Perhaps not yet, but one day you will"

"You have a lot of faith inabout one day, whichtienius, apparently They were just supposed to be together long enough to find the sword, but he see The idea thrilled her more than it should have

And Drake felt that thrill She saw it in his face--in the way his angular cheekbones rose in a satisfied s around covered in nothing but a flimsy scrap of fabric Surely you knosecret"

Suddenly, she felt part of what he’d been holding back--a hot wave of lust It crashed into her, nearly bringing her to her knees Instantly, her body began to heat and soften, preparing for him to take her

Helen clamped her mouth closed over a soft cry of need

Drake pushed to his feet, looking larger than she remembered More powerful Maybe it was because his chest was naked and she could easily see the heavy slabs ofunder his skin His arms were thick and hard, especially his forearhtly cordedloriously bare like that made her want to feel every inch of his naked torso under her fingers

"I heard that," said Drake A seductive grin widened hisstep toward her

Helen felt her nipples tighten against the soft flannel and a gentle warmth expanded low in her belly She barely knew hiet closer Naked and closer

Instead, she did the cowardly thing, took a step back and bu?" he asked "I know you want this as much as I do"

"I came here to hold you Comfort you"

He lifted his dark brows "Is that so?"

She nodded

"If you holdet e’re here That’s the kind of comfort I want, Helen"

And she wanted that, too As insane as it was "I don’t know you" But she wanted to So much

"You know more about me than nearly any person alive You’ve seen inside my head and you can feel what I feel Do I hold any malice toward you?"