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An excruciating silence “It was hell,” Slayde ades ca back, as vivid as if they’d just occurred It’s been years since that nightht I’d put it behind me But I haven’t”

“You don’t ever put so like that behind you, Slayde You simply tuck it away, and pray each tih strength to face it again And you say a prayer that maybe, just maybe, each ‘next time’ will hurt a little bit less”

A trace of awe softened Slayde’s expression “You’re extraordinary, do you know that? Here you are, suffering an unbearable loss, but rather than seeking co to comfort me”

“Were my attempts successful?” she whispered

“That’s thepart of all—yes”

“I’lad You’re a wonderfulfor others ’Tis about ti for you Thank you for lettingmoment”

“Courtney” Slayde’s knuckles grazed her cheek, his fingers sifting through the loose strands of her hair His eyes darkened from silver to slate, and Courtney knew—probably before he did—that he was going to kiss her She watched an internal battle wage across his face, and her heart skipped a beat as he relented, lowering his head to hers

Tenderly, her hand slipped to his nape, telling hi his mouth down to hers

Their lips —and all resistance shattered It was just as it had been last night: deep, consuht’s clarity was unable to mute the maelstrom of emotions they evoked in each other

With rough desperation, Slayde’sabruptly as he sought a deeper joining, urged her to accept the penetration of his tongue

She opened to hiht, only this time without the safety of darkness to retreat behind when the madness subsided She was rewarded with a harsh, inarticulate sound as Slayde’s tongueher head as if to soften the voracity of his kiss

Courtney needed no softening Unfurling like a flower to sunlight, she soughther ar his caresses, entwining with his

Slayde shuddered, a new tautness pervading his body, one Courtney found unfa His hand shifted, ht as he cupped her breast, his thuhtrail

“Slayde” She uttered his name on a shiver, stirr

ing restlessly beneath a flicker of white-hot sensation Her nipple hardened, throbbed, awakened to a touch it had never experienced but nonetheless knew Slayde’s thu tip until she whiain, he repeated the heated caress, each tiency a palpable entity that blazed through her like fireworks