“To his surprise and suspicion, she smiled.”

“I don't think there'll be a next time, my lady.” Saint smiled. “But thank you for the offer.”Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “You're welcome. My, my, manners. Where have you been—church?”

“That explained a great many things he'd observed about Lilith Benton. No wonder she came near to throwing a blue fit every time he approached. He threatened to collapse the carefully respectablility she'd worked nonstop for six years to build. On the oter hand, he couldn't forget the way she'd responded to his kiss,, or the way she'd shivered at his light caresses. She liked being touched. She liked his touch. Jack gave a slight smile. Perhaps the angel secretly wondered what it would be like to be in the devil's embrace. The devil certainly wondered.”

“If you ask me to leave now, I will.” Slowly his mouthcurved into that heart-stopping smile. “And then you’ll miss what comes next.”She shut her eyes for a heartbeat, trying to regain some control over herthoughts and her spread, wanton body. “What comes next?”“You do.” He lowered his head again.”

“...He had no breath, no being, but in hers, she was his voice; he did not speak to her. But trembled on her words; She was his sight, For his eye followed hers, and saw hers, Which colored all his objects-he had crease to live within himself; She was his life, The ocean to the river of his thoughts...”

“Don’t cry,nyonda,” he murmured.Phillipa took a deep breath. “What does that mean, anyway? Nyonda?”His green gaze held hers. “It’s Swahili. It means ‘beloved.’” A small smile touched his mouth, and he brushed her cheek again. “You do know I love you, Phillipa. To an alarming degree.”

“He lowered his head toward her, so she could feel his breath warm againsther skin, their mouths only inches apart. “You’re panting for it, aren’t you,Princess?” he murmured.”