locks, the sounds of the city fading

that," Julian said fi

emed less like a threat now, more like a

His Dodge Challenger was parked under a flickering streetlamp. "Car's

the sidewalk, watching him as he leaned over the engine. His back was to her, hi

ked again, but this time, she

, yellow light, his face was all sharp angles and sha

a violent splash of purple and blue against his

reached out, her fingers hovering just above the injured

dark and intense, burned into hers. "Does it bother you, Chlo

ed my number. You wanted nothing to do with me." It wasn't an ac

rced through

isper. "You scared me." She met his gaze, for

through her chest. She saw something in h

king the connection. "You should go," he said, h

n't want to go. The sight of his pain, his raw vulnerability, and the memory of his pro

?" she asked, stepping forwar

es gave him away. They were dark with a desperat

eeded. Chloe rose on her toes

arms came around her, pulling her tight against him. His mouth crushed down on hers, no

ns she should run, they all turned to dust. His hands slid under her shirt, his palms hot against the cool skin of her back. The touch was

eathed, her lips b

a, her fear-none of it ma

d against his ear, the words

rms, carrying her as if she weighed nothing. He placed her gently in the passenger seat of the Dodge.