“Are we going to do this again?” I grumbled. “Do what?” “The damsel-in-distress and knight-in-shining armor bit.” Pain flashed in his eyes. “That's not how I see us,” he murmured, sliding his hand to the side of my neck. “I told you before, you're no damsel. You're more like a butt-kicking dragon.” He caressed my cheek with his hand. “Oh, thanks.” I attempted to sound annoyed, but his touch melted away the irritation in my voice. “Plus, I've worn armor before, and trust me, it's not my style.”

“So are you going to be my knight in shining armor or what?'Kent does a little bow. 'You know I can't resist a damsel in distress.”

“Oh  .  .  . wow  .  .  . I don’t know what to say. I want to thank  .  .  .” His voice broke and the tears in my eyes rolled down my cheeks. Bringing the back of his hand to his mouth, Kellan stopped talking. Shaking his head again, he slowly lowered his hand. “I’m sorry.” His voice warbled with barely contained emotion. “My wife just told me she’s pregnant.”

“Do you have any idea how much I love you?" he asked. "Enough to accept my apologies?" I suggested in a small voice. "Heck no," he said, and pushed off from the wall, stalking forward. When he reached me, he put his hands up and touched the sides of my neck with the tips of his fingers--as if I were something fragile. "No apologies from you," he told me, his voice soft enough to melt my knees and most of my other parts.”

“He put his cold hands on either side of my face and fixed his golden eyes on mine."Would you please tell me what you're thinking? Before I go mad?”

“He touches my face, covering my cheeks with his hands, sliding his fingertips down my neck, fitting his fingers to the slight curve of my hips. I can't stop.”