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Renee woke and scooted closer to Zane’s large frame. He smelled good, clean, like soap. Her eyes flew open and found Zane wrapped around her. Even their legs were entwined. She peeked and found the leg cuff was still attached. When had he returned? Why was he cuddling with her? He was pissed off when he left. Okay, perhaps he was more hurt because she’d been a bitch. Still, he was back with her like he’d promised.

Not one person had ever been so devoted to her and kept their word, even if she’d screwed up or they were upset. She blinked. Everything was so confusing. Nothing made sense anymore. The simple lines between hating the undead and wanting to save humanity blurred as each day passed. She had to get away from him before she actually was a traitor to her own kind.

Her fingers brushed his soft hair back as she studied his handsome face. His eyes opened, and he peered at her, the ache still present in his gaze. It was her fault he looked like that. They stared at each other for a long time and touched each other lightly.

“I’m sorry, Zane. I really am.” Renee’s voice cracked. “Not just because I tried to run, but for the awful things I said to you. I didn’t mean them. I swear I didn’t.”

“My sweet Renee, please stop. It’s alright. Shh.” He kissed her cheeks.

“It’s not. I was a bitch because I wanted to hurt you and because what you said upset me and-”

His lips covered hers. Their mouths met over and over before he spoke against her lips, “I shouldn’t have said the things I said to you, either. I’m not used to anyone disagreeing with me. They always follow orders.”

She pulled back. “I’m not like them.”

“No, you’re not.” He gazed at her in wonder.

“Are we leaving now?” She tried to mask her misery because she liked being there with him. Sleeping with him. It made everything else more bearable.

“Soon.”

“Because you don’t have a choice.”

“No. It must consume.” His voice held that odd, detached sound again when he spoke. Whenever those words left his lips, he seemed more upset.

“Is the culling over?”

“Almost. We’re stronger now.”

“And that’s good, even though you have less of an army?”

“Army?”

“Horde. Whatever. You know what I mean.”

“Less in number but stronger. More capable. It’s the nature of evolution.”

“Will we ever be able to be like this again?”

“I promise we will. If you stay with me.”

“I will,” she vowed and meant it. “Besides, you already told me I can’t get away because you’ll always come back to me because… I’m yours.”

“Mine,” he whispered, then reminded her body twice, that it was also his.

Renee tried to catch her breath as he gazed at her and bent to kiss her stomach and scar. Part of her wanted him to keep going until he devoured her the way he mentioned in the van, eat her, in a different, less threatening way.

“Why won’t you let me touch you?”

“Soon enough, but I can’t let you yet.” He laid his head on her stomach and sighed.

“But why?” She felt so selfish because she was the only one getting anything out of their interactions.

“I won’t be able to control myself. I barely can now. You’re intoxicating.” His fingers trailed down to her thighs.

Tiny sparks traveled up to her heated center from his ministrations.

“I don’t want to leave,” he whispered. It sounded like it had before the culling, only more desperate.

“Then we should stay here a little longer,” she replied as she ran her fingers through his locks.

His fingers clutched her leg. “I want to, but we can’t.” His voice was rough, like it was difficult for him to get the words out.

“We have to leave.” His tone now resigned as he sat up and undid her ankle cuff.

She wanted to debate it with him even though she knew there wasn’t a point. So, she let it go, her heart heavy as she packed her things. As she strapped the backpack to her, she couldn’t shake the feeling like their reprieve had ushered in something so much worse.