“Forgotten about you?" He caught her chin, forced her to make eye contact, his gaze flashing anger, then slowly going gentle. "That would never happen. Never."And Natalie got the sense that she'd hurt him.”

“Do you know," he whispered very slowly, never taking his eyes from hers, "just how badly I want to make love to you? Not to your body, Natalie, but to you?”

“His hand came out and captured her by the chin. She froze, finding it hard to breathe as he gently raised her face to meet his gaze.”

“And if, behind closed eyes, Cerris saw a face other than hers, a face so slightly younger, gazing at him sadly across a gulf of lost years and broken promises... Well, it would never hurt her if she never knew.”

“His groan was laced with both pain and pleasure.But that was okay.It was as it was supposed to be.Her eyes filled with tears."I will never keep myself from you.I will never discard your love like trash."Her voice caught with emotion."And I will never starve you."Alexander's eyes glittered with feelings."I can't...""You can.You have to."She tipped up her chin and kissed him,soft and loving and hungry,her tongue slipping inti his mouth,playing with teeth,the tips of his fangs.”

“There'd been no time for her to plead her case. To tell him how she'd be flexible about his schedule and never ask for too much. Neol never gave her the option now he had a warrant and they wanted him for questioning. She'd covered for him the best she could but there were laws requiring his testimony to clear himself.”