lled as ever, but she noticed the subtle tension leaving h

ign. Perhaps he had even

adn't expected w

and stopped in front of him. Before Damon could ask what

It was soft, light, and fleetin

elt it like

d been years since he had allowed any woman close enough to a

alm, almost businesslike, as if the kiss had been

lpha Damon, I will h

warmth of her lips. Outwardly, however, h

u will, Mis

nvited him into her home without offering him an

r is

she passed him, Damon's gaze caugh

ed gently aro

to

ed back.

cardigan. Bruises spread across her arm, some darkeni

w tigh

did t

d to pull her arm free.

not painful. His eyes lifted to h

t d

mon, I do

. Do

ut the quiet force in his voi

rned to

first-aid kit. He knelt in front of her, placed it o

y," Ava protested.

e nothing by let

ain, this time wit

es to him. "You're

awa

so calm that sh

scrape. His hands were large, but

it h

lit

ened. "You shou

ely kn

any

ath caugh

pe. When he finished, he didn't release her immediately. His thumb br

mth moved thr

ed her hand from

stood. His gaze moved over the smal

your t

ked up.

g into my est

ws lifted. "Isn't

gaze lingered on her for a moment. "And after wh

rted, but no

of-fact, yet the concern bene

m held a memory of Victor. Suddenly, stayin

rig

moment later and leaned against the doorfram

es. Damon's gaze moved over the shelves before sto

. Classic

nted at i

r her shoulder.

, but his voice turned faintl

removed the shirt from its hanger, folded

hed him.

lease

anded with

terling, you shouldn't keep remin

at the disc

. Still, six years of her life had just been dro

g else-the memories, the years, the parts of herse

her face and s

second t

ead. "It's not that.

ange

e suitcase. "I really

tter. "It turns out it wa

weater, but Damon's gaze

stood with their arms around each other, smiling

er and turned th

seemed louder th

eed to bring

look

. "You're no longer with hi

xpression was calm, but his

th stirred i

on," she s

H

you a

N

u a

man's belongings in his wife's home, knowing that man once

blin

sb

utes ago, yet Damon was already inha

tween them-not when they w

, picked up the photograph,

d, meeting Damon's eyes. "I don'

oth pieces in

often, but the tension in h

small no

the northern edge of the city. The wrought-iron gates opened a

breath

tone surrounded by gardens and forest. Warm lights glowed behind

she asked, unable

ravel often for pack business. I don'

his gaze re

married, I'll be

heart

more

t m

, knowing smile. "Your room is on

ingers tightening arou

n no

nto something almost gentle. "I won't ask you to

d slight

il you'r