“So childish, Alex. You’ve ruined her dress.” The vibrant red silk floated around me as I treaded water. “I know. Bad me.”

“Doesn’t he own a shirt?” I asked, grabbing a spade. “Unfortunately, I don’t think so. Not even in the winter. He’s always running around half-dressed.” She groaned. “Its disturbing that I have to see so much of his…skin. Yuck.” Yuck for her. And hot damn for me.”

“Please come back to me, Alex. Please. I love you too much to lose you.”

“His eyes were burning a liquid silver and his arm tightened around me. "I would never give up on you, Alex. Never.""Then why are you being such a—""What?" his voice dropped low. "I'm being what?"Infuriating. Stubborn. Thick-skulled. Freaking sexy. "Good gods, can we stop arguing and just, I don't know, make out?”

“Did you know me then?” she asked sleepily.“No.” I held her closer, as if I could somehow pull her inside me and keep her safe. “But I knew, in that moment, you were amazing.”

“With my name on her lips and with barely anything separating us, I felt the last of my control slipping. Whitish-red light radiated off of me, bathing Kat in the warm glow. There was nowhere that my hands didn’t explore, and the way her body arched into the slightest touch, I was awed and consumed. Kissing her and drawing her deep inside me, I never wanted this to end. She was perfect to me. She was mine, and I wanted her more than I wanted anything in my life.”

“I didn't tell you this because I'm sure you would've changed your mind about the dress.""What?" I frowned. "Does it make my butt look big?"She laughed. "No. You looked stunning in it.""Then what's the deal?"Her smile turned downright mischievous. "Oh, you know, just that the color red is Daemon's favorite.”