“Don’t look at me like that.”
“I’m sorry.”Severinlooked away.
“No, you’re not.You’reanalyzingme,” she accused.
“I’mtryingnot to,” he protested.
“Well, tryharder.”
Ravik’s hand slid from her shoulder to her upper arm, protective and possessive.
“Cassie is hurt?”he asked.
“I don’t know,” she said, and the honesty in her voice madeSeverin’sheart fist in his chest.“Ifeel…weird.Hot.Likea hot flash, but lower…deeper.AndIkeep thinking about…”
She stopped abruptly and pressed her lips together.
Severin’s fangs ached—he could guess what she must be thinking.Herluscious, curvy body was going into a virus-induced sexual heat.Butstill, he couldn’t help asking.
“What do you keep thinking?”he said softly.
Her eyes flashed.
“I am not telling you that.”
“Cassandra—”
“No.”Shelifted her chin.“Youcan science my blood all you want, but you donotget to hear every embarrassing thought that goes through my head.”
Severin inclined his head.
“All right, that’s fair.Forgiveme for asking.”
That seemed to surprise her.
“You mean you’re not going to probe me for more answers?”
“No,”Severinshook his head.“ButIdoneed to monitor your symptoms.”
She sighed wearily.
“Ofcourseyou do.”
“Cassie is upset.Cassieneeds comfort,”Ravikrumbled, clearly reacting to her tone.
His arm curled around her waist from behind, pulling her back against his bare chest to cradle her against his big body.
Cassandra made a small, needy sound and her eyes fluttered for half a second before she forced them open again.
Severin watched her pulse flutter at the side of her throat and understood something—the contact helped her.Oraroused her.Orboth.
Yes, almost certainly both, he decided.
“Your body may be asking for the very thing it needs to fight the virus,” he said carefully, not wanting to upset her.“ButIdon’t know yet if giving in to that need will help you or accelerate the infection.Ineed to run more tests.”
Cassandra gave him a level look.
“Let me guess—you need more samples.”
