nig

indows of the master bedroom. The storm had rolled over

silk La Perla slip dress. The fabric clung to her curves

te towel slung low on his hips. Water droplets clung to the hard planes of his chest and stomach. When h

bare feet sank int

silk robe, Jessenia reached out first. Her fin

erked. The muscles in

robe and stepped in front of him. She held the

" Jessenia whispered, her voice

over her. She rose onto her tiptoes. She closed her eyes and

lips touched, Harlan turned

ed against the cold,

olute. The air in the

l yard of space between them. He grabbed the robe fr

was like cracked ice. "My brain tells me I

rutal, surgical st

tasted copper. She wanted to scream. She wanted

oice trembling. "I waited three y

ssive California King bed, and slid under the covers.

s Harlan got into the left side of the bed

d. The storm ou

shook the glass windows. It

ured down his face. His eyes were wide and unseeing in the dark. The thunder had triggered

a severe PTS

e saw him shaking. She saw the

ttress. She threw her arms around him from behin

er the rain. "You're safe! Y

ed him, but then the warmth of her body re

d her against his chest, burying his face in her neck. He was bre

sion was overridden by pure, primal te

y a flash of lightning, he looked at her mouth. He

a wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling