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“Probably because it was becoming too uncomfortable,” I answer.

“Uncomfortable?” he chokes out as if I insulted him.

“Yes,” I confirm. “It was beginning to hurt, so I decided to... I don’t know? Ease it?”

His body stiffens and silence fills the car.

Figuring he’s done with his questions, I turn my attention to the window beside me. Peering out, I take in the bright, sun-kissed world. Grateful that for once my eyeballs don’t want to melt into my skull.

I don’t know where we are, but it looks like we’re leaving the city behind. More and more bushes and trees begin to spring up, and the green space between the buildings stretches wider, as if it’s purposely pushing them apart.

When the road is swallowed by a forest full of old, thick trees that blot out the sky, I think of Father McCall.

How can I possibly find him?

How can I remember what happened?

“Alena,” Raphael says softly, then my face is turning back to him.

His hand in my hair guiding me.

I start to ask him what he wants.

But before I can form a syllable, his lips are suddenly crushing against my lips in a needy kiss.

I feel no pain, though, as the force of it bends my neck back. Only surprise at the suddenness.

I’ve never been kissed before.

No man has ever dared to touch me in such a way. And I don’t know how to defend myself against it.

I’m completely out of my element as butterflies take flight in my stomach and my skin tingles as if I’m being touched by magic.

I thought I was completely numb, but I guess not.

Apparently, I can still feel things that feel good…

His mouth pushes and pushes against mine, demanding some kind of entrance, and I can’t stop myself from getting swept up in the moment.

With all the physical and emotional hurt turned off, there’s nothing to help me from falling headfirst into the onslaught of new sensations.

My head grows light and everything around me begins to spin.

Reaching out, I grab his shirt and clutch it in my fists. Needing an anchor to keep me from falling off the edge of the world.

“Let me in,” he demands.

Then he pulls hard on my lips, almost sucking them into his mouth.

Electricity zips through me and something deep inside me clenches.

I gasp, and his tongue immediately sweeps past my parted lips.

When his tongue strokes against my tongue, whatever strength I had left flees my body.

My very bones weaken as he devours my mouth. Each hungry pull of his lips tugging on an invisible string connected to my core.

“Open for me,” he growls down my throat.