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‘Well, clearly my experience of men is somewhat limited, but if you’d just allow me to—’

‘To do what?’ he cut across her, eyes narrowed in suspicion

‘Spend time with you?’ Savannah trembled as she clutched on to this last all-too-brittle straw

Ethan’s laugh was scathing ‘Youtrouble Out’ He pointed to the door

‘Can’t we even have one last drink together?’

‘Gin and tonic?’ he mocked

‘If you like’

‘I don’t like Now, go to bed’

He closed the door with relief Leaning back against it, he let out a groan of relief Mentally, physically, he was in agony He shouldn’t even be thinking this way about Savannah And now he knew she was a virgin he had even less excuse—though how to stop erotic i he had no answer for He wanted her Wanted her? He ached for her The urge to lose hi him, but he couldn’t feed on perfection, or drain her innocence to soliness inside him

That was a wound of such long standing he doubted he’d ever be rid of it It had taken seed in him the day he’d realised his mother had chosen his stepfather over her seven-year-old son, and had germinated on the day she’d seen his bruises in the bath Instead of questioning them, she had told him she’d take his bike away if he wasn’t more careful Had she really believed the buckle marks on his back had come from a fall? That bitterness was in full flower by the time he’d been ready to make his oay in the world, and those dark secrets had stayed with hiacy like that with Savannah? Not a chance She was like a ray of light with her whole life in front of her, and he would do anything to protect her He would do nothing to stop that little candle throwing its beam around the world

Pulling away froh his hair with frustration He wanted Savannah He wanted toto him was that Savannah reht reasons

He tensed, hearing her footsteps returning That sound was shortly followed by a tap on the door ‘Yes?’

‘Ethan, it’s me’

‘What do you want?’ He tried to sound gruff Had she forgotten so it was a vain hope He opened the door She looked like a pale wraith beneath the lights she had insisted on, and they were blazing full in his face He hardly cared or noticed these days when people turned away froht that Savannah didn’t flinch ‘What do you want?’ he said wearily

‘You…’