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Her mouth slowed against mine. Just slightly. Too much feeling slipped through. I felt it the instant she did. Nyssa went still. Her hands loosened from my shirt. She pulled away. Not playfully and not asking me to follow. She retreated, her gaze dropping. One step. Away from me. Then another.

I watched her turn away and reach for a robe.

She wanted to cover herself.

From me.

Something savage tore through my chest.

No.

I crossed the distance between us. Stopped close enough that she felt me behind her. Her hand stilled on the robe.

“No, you don’t.”

The first words between us landed hard.

She turned.

Slowly.

Our eyes met.

Anger still burned there, and so did pain.

But underneath both…

Fuck.

She still wanted me.

I held her stare. “I’m not done with you yet.”

Her breath caught. I lifted my hand. Stopped before touching her. Waiting. Her eyes dropped to it, then returned to mine. And she stepped back into me.

Only then did my restraint break. I slid my fingers into the hair at the nape of her neck and pulled her closer. Our mouths collided. Raw. Desperate. Her fists caught my shirt again, dragging me against her. My arm went around her waist and I lifted. Her legs locked around me.

Her fingers found the buttons of my shirt.

One.

Two.

Then patience disappeared. Fabric pulled. Buttons gave. Cold air struck my chest as she shoved it from my shoulders. She broke the kiss. Her thumb dragged along my jaw, turning my face. Then teeth. A sharp nip against the edge of my jaw. Her tongue followed.

Warm.

Soothing the sting she’d deliberately left behind.

A groan tore from me.

My hold beneath her thigh tightened as I carried her toward the bed.

Her mouth travelled lower.

Her fist closed in my hair.

Fuck.