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This kiss was nothing like that one When we kissed before, I didn’t know enough to even be afraid Of h to hold myself back

Noas too aware, hyperaware, and so the fear chained htened, your pulse changes," he said "Your breath Your heartbeat Your sound I can’t ignore that and I won’t, even if you think you wantand the fear, and I felt hopeless "What if I’m afraid forever?"

"You won’t be" His voice was soft, but certain

"What if I am?"

"Then I’ll wait forever"

I shook my head fiercely "No You won’t"

Noah smoothed the hair from my face Made me look at him before he spoke "There will coether When you’re free of every fear and there is nothing in our way" Noah’s voice was sincere, his expression serious I wanted to believe him

"And then I’ll make you scream my name"

I broke into a smile "Maybe I’ll make you scream mine"

31

A SLOW, ARROGANT SMILE FORMED ON NOAH’S lips "Gauntlet thrown" He dreay and unlocked his door "I do so love a challenge"

"Shareed" He tipped his head toward the hallway "Corabbed the book "Can I borrow this?"

"You can," he said, holding his door open for e thirty-four"

"I’ hall, our footsteps s beneath our feet We turned several corners before he finally stopped in front of a door, withdrew so and thin from his back pocket, and then proceeded to pick at an old-looking lock

"That’s handy," I said as it clicked

Noah pushed the door open "I have my uses"

We stood before a small room that actually seemed more like an enor and boxes that lined the walls

My gaze slid over the piles "What is this stuff?"

"Myfroht fixture lit up the space "Everything she owned is so for?"

"I’rand about it in a letter or a picture or so And if there’s a connection between your ability and your grandmother then perhaps"

Noah’s voice trailed off, but he didn’t need to finish his sentence because I understood

There ht be a connection between his mother and him I could tell he hoped it was true

Noah opened a box and handedin here?"

I was startled by the unfalish-accented voice The papers fluttered to the floor

"Katie," Noah said, sirl "You remember Mara"

I certainly reeous as her brother--with the saold, and Noah’s fine boned, elegant features Lashes and legs for days Arresting was the word that caave me a slow once-over, and then said to Noah, "So that’s where you’ve been spending your nights"