Heels clicked, then paused.
“Emeline,” I heard a honeyed voice call out. A voice I knew. I gasped, but Hal’s hand clamped over my mouth, pulling me back against his chest.
Had Nora been sent to rescue me once more? She called my name again before the sound of her heels clicked away.
Hal lowered his hand from my mouth as I faced him, our chests meeting with each breath. My body uncoiled and awakened as if he were siphoning the tension from me.
“This is dangerous,” I muttered.
My eyes had adjusted enough to the dim light to see a smile tug at his lips. “I know where the Illum’s attention currently are,” he said. “You look beautiful tonight, Moonlight.”
“The Starlings did a good job.”
“You looked beautiful in your office that first day in gray and no lens. You are beautiful, not the gown.” Hal ran his hand up the side of the dress, leaving sparks in its wake, then ran a finger along my jaw. “Or the makeup.” He traced the shell of my ear, grazing the diamond earrings, then caressed the column of my throat, where my pulse fluttered wildly. “Or the jewels.” His hand gripped my waist. “Just you, Moonlight.”
I lifted a hand to his chest, his heart steady beneath my palm. My breathing became difficult as he held my gaze. His entire face had a golden glow, as did his hair.
Heat flooded my cheeks at the reminder of reality. Hal captured my wrist before I could pull it away.
“Don’t,” Hal told me, bringing my wrist between us.
He let go of my waist to slowly unbutton the delicate cuff of my dress, then gently tugged the sleeve up until the golden glow fully illuminated our small closet.
“You don’t have to hide anything from me,” Hal whispered as he brought the outside of my wrist to his mouth and kissed the glowing skin. “You don’t have to pretend.” He turned my wrist. “I want you, contract and all, Moonlight.”
His mouth found the inside of my wrist where the chip glowed brightest. A soft moan left me.
“Tell me you want me too,” he whispered. He trailed kisses up my arm. His other hand snaked around my waist again, tugging me into him. I went willingly, my pulse a wild thing, demanding more as it began to burn beneath my skin.
His lips found my neck, and my body ground against his in a plea for more. The last of my sanity reminded me of his injuries.
“You’re hurt,” I practically panted, grabbing his shirt.
He growled against my neck, and my body responded. My head tilted to the side without a thought, giving him better access.
“I’m fine,” he said roughly, his voice deeper than normal.
“But Barrett—” I began, and rational thought fled as Hal kissed along my exposed neck. I gripped his shirt tighter.
“I don’t want to talk about Barrett right now,” he said, his gaze searing me. “Do you want this?” His grip on my waist tightened.
I nodded my head, the screaming need extinguishing all sanity. I wanted more.
“I need you to say it, Emeline. If you want me to stop, I will. You can leave and head back. It’s the smart thing to do.”
He was right. Logically, I knew that. His hold on my waist loosened, and my body wailed in protest.
“I’ll let you go,” he rasped.
An ache had grown deep in my core that I couldn’t ignore. I knew what awaited me out there, but in here . . . I didn’t know what this was or where it would lead, but I wanted to know. I wanted to just be me. I wanted it so desperately, I was consumed by it.
“You want me,” I whispered. I swallowed, my heart banging against my chest to get to him, “and I want you, Hal.”
Hal came unleashed, body trembling. His lips collided with mine, tongue tracing my lips instantly. I opened for him.
I ran my hands through his hair, pulling him into me until our bodies crashed together. I heard him suck in a deep breath.
I pulled away, worried, but he tugged me back in, his mouth claiming mine as the hand on my waist slid up to my breast. Another moan escaped me as Hal dragged his hand along the under-side through the thin fabric before cupping me, tracing the tight peak.
