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‘Wait’

Unaware that Sam had followed her, but not surprised, she stopped, the throb of the music just a low beat now they were outside

‘What happened back there?’ His concerned gaze caught hers, his eyes scanning her face He was so close to her she could feel the heat and energy fro her own

Panic hat had happened back there Ju pulses hat had happened Need and want

‘Listen,’ he began, reaching for his mask ‘I think it’s time we—’

‘No!’ Ruby startled hirabbed for his ar hishimself now because he’d expect her to do the sa why she had acted the way she had It would mean she would have to explain how she’d felt so overwhelmed by the heat of his body, his touch on her waist, his breath against her skin, that she’d run Explain how in that moment she had wanted more of it More of him

‘Hey’ heher inner distress, his fingers gentle as he touched her chin ‘Look at me’

She did, the low light of the garden casting shadows across his strong jaw and carved lips, his dark hair falling forward over his mask

He was so beautiful Sohim an otherworldly appearance that only added to his appeal

Ruby’s breathing altered, beco choppy as they stared at each other She tried to shake her head to clear her senses but his fingers prevented her froht-headed, drunk on the clean, intoxicating scent of ht the nape of her neck and she didn’t know if he leaned down further or she stretched upwards but suddenly his lips were on hers, war

Wide-eyed, she aze and then she couldn’t help herself: she lowered her eyelids and opened her roan rumble out of his chest as he felt her submit to the inevitable and he slanted his lips h her like liquid fire, drugging her, consu an avalanche of need deep inside she was powerless to resist