“I started to kiss him back, slower and clumsy where his had been sure, practiced. I was worried I was doing it wrong, but then a deep sound came from him, almost a growl and instinctively Iknew it was a sound of approval.”

“I kissed him, let him kiss me, let him clutch my hips, curl his fingers into the fabric of my shirt, slide his hands around my waist and splay them against my back, pull me infinitesimally closer. He made a sound, a growl or purr, some predatory noise that rumbled in his throat, then said my name. And this time, it wasn’t a question but a sound of victory, a claim on his prize.”

“his wartime experience had taught him to trust his instincts, even though he'd never been sure where they'd come from.”

“I didn’t mean to suggest there was anything wrong with Victor when we were in the garage,” he started in a growl that didn’t quite sound like an apology. “I’d trust him with your life.”“That’s reassuring,” I muttered with more than a trace of cynicism.“I just wouldn’t trust him with the rest of you.”

“Jack laughed behind him, a mirthless sound from a man who had been on the wrong end of life's ironies too many times.”

“You don't have to see me out," I told him as he came back to the table. "Unless you're going home too.""No. I have more training to do, but it's fine."Don't sound so enthused, I thought as I drew a deep breath, turned, and headed toward the gate.”