Elijah (47 page)

She defied the statement by forcing it into silence with the cover of her mouth.

This time Damien saw it coming, but it made him no better prepared. This time it was not a quick and simple expression of impulsive gratitude she was reaching to express. This was a little different, and on an instinctive level he knew it.

Completely in spite of the soundness of reason that rang stridently in his head, Damien allowed himself the luxury of the feel of her lips. Caught less off his mark and having had a moment to think about it, he returned the intimacy with equal warmth and measure. From one heartbeat to the next, his hands found their way into the hair at the back of her head, his fingertips sliding onto the heat of her scalp with careful languor, mindful of all she had suffered and been through and in no way wanting to cause her a moment of further pain.

Syreena was also sliding her fingers into a position which held his head to her, just in case he thought to argue with her any further about her desires in this matter. His darkening eyes were looking directly into hers, seeking for things beyond both their comprehension. She met his searching gaze with eyes full of surety and strength. She knew what she wanted; amazingly enough without a single doubt or second thought. This moment, those fascinating eyes messaged to him, was to be precious for them both. The next moment would come soon enough. But this moment…

This moment was for thanking, for gentility, and, most of all, for feeling something that had no pain, struggle, or immediate ramifications to it.

It simply would be what it was.

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Copyright © 2008 by Jacquelyn Frank

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