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She wrapped her arms around me. I rested my forehead against hers.

“I’m here,” she murmured. Then lifted her head and pulled away.

She looked at me.

Really looked at me.

Her eyes searching. Still she never spoke.

Neither did I.

Because if either of us spoke…

The truth would finally have a voice.

I slid my hand around to the back of her neck and pulled her gently toward me.

My lips met her forehead. I closed my eyes. She trembled harder. Her arms tightened around me. And that was all I needed.

Warmth pressed against me. Her hands splayed out against my back, sliding slowly upwards.

“Alaric.”

I pulled away. “Yes, Nyssa?”

“Make love to me.”

I almost broke. Almost shattered… right in front of her.

Tears gathered. I gave a slow nod and lowered my head. My trembling lips found hers. It wasn’t seductive, nor was it powerful. But it was real… and it was all I had to give.

I gripped her hips, and lifted, catching her bad leg under her thigh.

I turned around and carried her to our bed. Laying her down on the comforter that had given her warmth. Because that’s all I wanted. Her safe. Her warm. Her protected… even if that was from me.

I climbed up onto the bed, bracing my arms over her head. One slow thrust and she moaned. But then she gripped my hips, pushed one leg upwards. I held her against me, sliding my arm around her waist and rolled.

She rose upwards. Straddling me.

Her eyes darker than I’d ever seen before.

I tried to read them.

And failed.

She pulled her shirt free and unhooked her bra. Her small breasts bouncing with the movement before she slid backwards and stepped free. I watched her as she slid her pants down, then her panties. I pulled my shirt free, then my sweats.

The silence was deafening.

Filled with everything we couldn’t say.

She climbed up once more, wincing as she straddled me once more.

“Nyssa…” I croaked.

She shook her head. Her fingers finding me hard and ready.

There was no pretence.