me kiss it better.”

Bit by bit, he continued his gentle ministrations. He followed the bruises ringing my neck, then switched to the delicate lacework of scars. Finally, he found that sweet spot between my neck and shoulder. A vicious shiver ratcheted

my desire higher until my mind hazed and my body ached. “Kayden, please.”

He raised his head and took my mouth with a fierceness that left me

breathless. My breasts felt heavy, aching for his touch. I moved restlessly, unable

to tear my mouth away from his. I squirmed in his lap, feeling the press of hard

male flesh against my hip. The sensation of him triggered my own melting response. His hands began to roam, sliding under my T-shirt, drawing it higher.

He skimmed the marks of violence and left melting warmth behind, even as his

mouth continued to torment me.

I groaned as cool air hit my overheated skin, arching deeper into his

destructive touch. Unwilling to be a passive participant, I twisted around until we were a tangle of limbs and frantic movements. When his T-shirt finally disappeared, we both paused for a breathless moment.

Somehow, in our maneuverings, I managed to straddle him, my legs lying on

either side of his hips, and my aching center pressed against his hardness, our jeans the last remaining barrier. My breath came in pants. My hands were splayed across the mouth-watering expanse of exposed skin where various scars

decorated his muscles creating a historic map of a warrior. Instead of derailing my desire, I had the strangest urge to kiss each mark. Mesmerized, I couldn’t look away as my fingers moved restlessly, petting his chest.

“God, Cyn,” he groaned, his hands tightening on my waist. “We have to

stop.”

I tore my gaze away from the temptation of his chest and met his gaze. It took two tries to get my question out. “Why?”

“You’re hurt.”

“I’m fine.” To prove my point, my hips undulated, riding his erection, and causing us to groan in unison.

His hands trailed up my spine, setting off small explosions along over-

stimulated nerve endings. Then he tangled one hand in my hair and dragged me

closer for a fierce kiss. When he drew back, his voice was rough. “Be good.

Wolf’s going to be here soon. We’ll pick this up later.”

My body didn’t really give a damn about Wolf, it wanted the man under me.

I closed my eyes to eliminate the distraction he presented and clawed my way free of the drugging need burning through me. The sensation of his fingers gently massaging against the back of my neck helped. A little. “Promise?”

He pressed his forehead to mine and my eyes opened. He was so close I

couldn’t miss the banked fires and leashed want staring back at me. “Promise.”

He sealed his vow with a gentle kiss.

CHAPTER 21

I t turned out Kayden’s decision to call a halt to our make-out session was spot

on. Once we got untangled and presentable, we reheated our chili. Just as we

finished our dinner, the crunch of gravel under rubber announced Wolf’s arrival.

Not only did my earlier trepidation return, but it brought along the annoying

whispers. As Kayden greeted Wolf, I gathered the dishes and took them to kitchen. I needed a moment to get a handle on my paranoia. I stretched out the

dish washing as long as possible and managed to squander ten minutes. I was tucking the hand towel over the stove’s handle, when Kayden said, “You ready?”

I gave a small jump, then turned to face him. My heart was in my throat and

all I could manage was a shrug. Obviously noting my discomfort, he came over

and pulled me into a hug. I huddled against him and curled my hands in his T-

shirt. “The stupid whispers are back.”

His arms tightened. “Wolf will help.”

Maybe. Maybe not. My faith wasn’t as strong as his. Yet, it wasn’t like I had much of a choice here. I couldn’t continue to go after Ellery when at any second,

I could turn on those who were helping, especially Kayden. That fear, more than

anything, drove me to straighten my spine and square my shoulders. “Let’s get

this over with.”

We walked into the living room together. Wolf was sprawled in a chair that

looked ridiculously overburdened with him in it. He watched us settle on the couch, me taking standard position in the corner. “If you have questions, ask them now, because once we start, I can’t stop.”

That didn’t sound good. “Tell me what you’re going to do.”

“Let me ask you something first,” he said. “When you go back to the past, how does it work?”

“It’s like watching numerous film clips, all at the same time. Some are in sharp focus, some are faded, some flicker in and out, some skip through things

or loop, repeating over and over. The ones with stronger emotions come in clearer than ordinary, everyday ones.”