Only that fire blazed into a complete inferno when he rumbled in a gruff, sleep laced voice…

“Raven.”

I swore, he moaned it, and I felt the reverberation of it all the way down to my toes. The spot between my thighs became heavy and achy.

I had the intense urge to shift and wrap my legs around him so he could rub his hard length against my throbbing center.

Only his eyes popped open.

Those deep endless pools of blue stared back.

For one, perfect second, our connection screamed between us. That invisible thing that I’d sworn had been there all along.

Fierce, desperate desire.

Agonizing want.

A longing that went so deep there would be no way to crawl out from under it.

Our breaths harsh and our hearts thundering.

I felt it like a life-beat pounding against the walls.

Did he?

Did he feel it?

Or was he immune?

He couldn’t be. This was too?—

Whatever it was demolished the next second. That second when recognition at what was happening slammed him.

Shocked horror took to his features, and he reeled away.

He tried to cover his reaction with that mischievous, easy grin. As if all of this was normal.

Still, he reached out and took me by both arms to separateus.

“Sorry about that, darlin’. Dangers of sleeping with a man in his bed. Can’t be helped.”

I wanted to tell him there might be a way Icouldhelp him. That I really wanted to. Just go right ahead and confess that I wanted to experience everything with him.

But I knew what would happen.

He’d reject me. Like he’d done then. And I’d feel small and ignorant and vulnerable all over again.

So rather than suffering all of that again, I forced a coy tease. “Don’t worry. I barely felt it.”

His grin turned into a playful scowl as he peeled himself farther back. “Barely felt it, huh?”

“That’s right. I’m not sure what all those women are falling over themselves about.”

Amusement played across his face as he chuckled low. Maybe he really was immune.

“Wow, way to demolish a man’s ego first thing in the mornin’. And after I stayed with you the whole night.”

“I’m just speaking the truth.” I let my lips quirk up at the side.