“You have no clue," he whispered."No clue about what?" I whispered back."What you handed me last night."I took in a deep breath and asked softly, "What did I hand you, honey?""What's lyin' in that bed."That was when I stopped breathing."I claimed it," he went on. "But last night you gave it to me. Gift's given, no takin' it back. You get that, Tyra?""I think so," I whispered."Get that, baby, it's important.”

“what did you hear? I whisper. He turns around and whispers back. Two people whispering.”

“You're in deep with me, aren't you, baby?" I whispered my question just to confirm."Drowning." he whispered back.”

“I can't lose you," he whispered. "The thought of you getting hurt, or worse..." His voice caught in his throat. He took a deep breath then turned and looked down at me. "I finally just found you.”

“He got closer and I would have stepped back, but his hand came to thee side of my neck, his long fingers sliding up and into my hair behind my ear. His fingers were covered in a leather glove, but it still felt good, good enough to root me to the spot.He dipped his face closer to mine and whispered, "What're you worried about, baby?"I took in a breath, let it out and for some reason whispered back honestly, "It's just scary.""I won't let you get hurt.""But-""Nina, I promise. I won't let you get hurt."I looked into his eyes and saw they were serious. He wasn't teasing, he wasn't impatient, he wasn't annoyed and he didn't think I was a scaredy-cat. He was just...serious."Okay," I whispered.”

“This was why I did what I did," she whispered. "I looked at those men at the ball, and I thought of that night in the carriage when you touched me, and I knew I could never let any of them touch me." She tilted her head back and closed her eyes, pressing his hands to her breasts. "Only you.”