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"You are welcoht waver "You honor us with your voice"

Aware that there was sorasp, Ava only said, "Thank you"

Maxilint, but his smile arm "Welcoreeting

"Thank you"

Leo was the last to say hello, but Ava was grateful to see his familiar, playful expression "Welcome home, Ava I’m so happy you’re back"

She was almost ready to burst into tears when his lips touched her cheek She felt Malachi’s hand at her back a moment before he pulled her back and into his chest

"Rhys?" he asked as she tried to recover her composure She had never felt so welcohed and whispered, Ho"

"Is our room ready? We both need sleep"

"Of course," Da man stepped forward "We moved you to the second floor The east room has the most space, and it’s coolest in the afternoon"

"Thank you," Malachi said

"Wait" She put a hand on his arm "Theyher toward the stairs "Thank you, Leo We’ll see you later"

"Rest well" Without a whisper, he disappeared, along with every other o Ava blinked back the blurriness in her eyes and followed Malachi

"Wait… so, what? They s from your hotel after we left Istanbul They sis"

"Isn’t that--" She couldn’t stop the yawn "--a little premature? I mean, we’ve been… whatever-we-are for--"

"They don’t think like that," he said with a s through the door he held open for her She entered a dim room surrounded by bookcases on three walls There was ashielded by wooden blinds and a beautiful mural painted around it But all Ava saas the bed Low, covered with pilloith the bedspread turned down It was theshe’d ever seen She collapsed face-first onto the pillows, barely registering Malachi’s quiet chuckle

"A little tired?"

"You haven’t let et much sleep the past week, you insatiable ed off her shoes and jeans Then he rolled her over and eased off the button-down shirt she’d worn, leaving her in a lightweight tank and her panties The cotton sheets were a cool kiss against her skin, and Ava burrowed into the pillows as he pulled the bedspread up to her chin "Sleep, my love"