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He stepped closer. Lifting his hand to her hair, he tangled his fingers in it. “You’re exquisite, Rune.”

She swallowed.I am?

Suddenly, all concern for her reputation vanished.

“Where were you?” she said. “I asked everywhere, but no one knew what happened to you.”

“I was at the hospital, with my friend. She was hurt in the explosion.”

He smelled like smoke and gunpowder. And beneath that,Gideon.

With her back to the door, Rune tilted her face to his. “Will she be all right?”

He nodded.

The haunted shadows in his eyes were gone, leaving something raw and yearning. His tender fingers traced along her jaw, making her ache.

He was unraveling her.

You’re vulnerable,she told herself.Get Lady and ride straight back to Wintersea. Before you do something you’ll regret.

But not two minutes ago, Rune had thought she’d never see him again. And though it shouldn’t have mattered, though none of this should matter, she couldn’t tear her gaze away from him.

She was like a deer making eyes at the wolf that wanted to eat her for lunch.

Stupid deer.

But she knew the fear of not having him now, and she suddenly wanted all of him. Body and soul. It was a dangerous feeling. One that could cost her everything.

Gideon lowered his mouth to hers. Her heart hammered harder. She wondered how she’d ever thought it a cruel-looking mouth. It was a very nice mouth. Reverent and devoted, wanting to please her. Rune trembled beneath it.

She was drowning, and he was air. She hadn’t even realized how much she needed him until he was gone.

“Do you want to come in?” he breathed against her lips.

The question sparked a fire inside her.

No,said her brain. But her mouth defied her.

“More than anything.”

Gideon reached for the knob beside her hip. Still kissing her, he turned it and pushed the door open, guiding her backward.

He kicked the door shut behind them.

FORTY-SEVENGIDEON

IT WAS UNNATURAL, THEway he wanted her. Like nothing else in the world mattered more than bringing her upstairs, peeling her out of those riding leathers, and guiding her down to the bed. Like nothing mattered more thanher. Maybe it was the brush with death, but even his little brother’s feelings were suddenly of no consequence.

Rune was everything that he hadn’t believed could exist in a girl.

He wanted her, and she clearly wanted him. She told him as much when she coiled her arms around his shoulders and lifted herself onto his hips. The breath shuddered out of him. His hands tightened on her thighs, pulling her closer.

Her mouth was soft and warm. Fierce and hungry. Undoing all of his restraint.

Harrow thought his desire for Rune was nothing more than witchcraft. That it prevented him from seeing the truth.

There’s one way to find out for sure,he thought, cupping her neck. Kissing her harder.