“My head fell forward and to the side until it collided with his shoulder as my arms slid around him and got tight.I felt his head turn and in my ear he said quietly, "Fuck, baby, just with that, you made callin' that marker worth it.”

“He walked in and fell to his knees in front of me. “I’m so sorry, Abby. I’m sorry,” he said, wrapping his arms around my waist and burying his head in my lap.”

“He streched his arm around my shoulder and settled his head against mine, enveloping me in a warm little bubble.”

“Beside us lies a fair-headed recruit in utter terror. He has buried his face in his hands, his helmet has fallen off. I fish hold of it and try to put it back on his head. He looks up, pushes the helmet off and like a child creeps under my arm, his head close to my breast. The little shoulders heave. Shoulders just like Kemmerich's. I let him be.”

“Rhys threw his arms around his twin, holding him, hugging him. "He is my mate, brother. I could not kill him. I feel a strong bond with him.""Stronger than ours?" Ceri asked as he embraced Rhys."No." Rhys shook his head. "Not stronger. Equal, but not stronger."Rhys felt Ceri's lips on his cheek. His twin gave him a soft kiss and then turned his head. "Thank You for the beautiful lie," he said right before he bit into Rhys's neck, almost tearing his throat.”

“His hand slid up my back and his fingers sifted into my hair to cup the back of my head.“Kiss me, baby.”I used the moonlight on the angles of his face to aim and found his mouth. The minute my lips hit his, he rolled partially into me, forcing me to my back in the bed, and my mouth opened as did his. My tongue slid inside, he growled against it and when I absorbed that in my mouth, a small moan escaped my throat. His head slanted one way, mine tilted the other and my kiss turned into a kiss.”