eave, but that wasn't what she wanted. Instead

s with quiet intent. She watched his reaction closely, notici

to that edge she could barely hold back from. For a moment, ever

after, her voice breaking as

nder his breath, unable to fini

stayed firm at her waist. He leaned into her, his head r

when the moment passe

ed her seatbelt. Then he returned to the driver's side and started

ustrated with herself. She had let him pull

he whispered un

would choose to be close to him like that. Yet Carolina had done it so easily. She had known

ip on her arm stopped her. Her eyes followed the path of his touch as she trac

though her tone came ou

lashing across his expression. In his min

lp you with the stairs. There's no reason to

aying I w

shut his eyes for a moment and drew in a breath

e a sma

thought as he moved around

s pulled his focus. The thought lingered longer than it shoul

ether," he muttere

ing her the key. "Lock the

d without

id beneath her knees, the other behind her back, and he lifted her out with e

crossed her face, but it vanished the moment she noticed the bandag

mad

bedroom. Carolina wil

s she looked at him, but he n

y took the time to study the room. The last time she had been there, e

dark gray, except for one section behind the television that stood out in a softer shade. The bedding followed the same d

se it would s

eat rushed to her face as the memo

she asked. "Is there some

t your comfort.

her brows while he sat d

n't f

jured, and someone has to take care of you. The staff won't stay in your room overnight, so I wil

st message you. That way, you wouldn

tion bothered her, but she held back her response. Ca

ed her eye

planning to help

s shrug f

hat bot

ved in a qu

N

's take care of

udied his face, even with the mask hiding part o

now I'm here, thinking it feels rig

ied. Every now and then, he pressed soft kisses along her skin.

e from him, his focus still on her as

moment before pull

you earlier, didn'

him. "That was diff

k's in t

she said, as if it w

nt me to kiss you." He turned away from her, his hand lifti

responded, her voice steady. A

hat the fire did... it's not something anyone wan

tled heavily

him to try anyway. But what if he was right? What if her r

end. "You decide what you're com

he knows wh

cleaned up." A faint smi