Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh God.”
I crossed the room in three strides and caught her waist gently, pulling her into my chest.
She shook. Just a little.
I pressed my chin to her hair. “I’m not letting anything happen to you. Not ever.”
Her fingers curled into my shirt. “I don’t know why he’s targeting me.”
“I’ll figure it out,” I said. “But until then, you’re not alone.”
She tipped her head back to look at me.
Her eyes were wide, vulnerable, trusting.
“Stay with me tonight,” she whispered.
I brushed a thumb along her cheek. “I already told you I would.”
“No, I mean…”
She swallowed.
“Stay with me.”
Heat surged through me.
Slow. Hot. Dangerous.
“Nora…”
I shouldn’t.
Not when danger was right outside.
Not when I was this close to losing control.
But then she rose on her toes and kissed me—soft at first, then firmer, needier, like she’d been thinking about it every second since I’d walked out that door.
And I broke.
My hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her in deeper. Her breath hitched, her chest pressed against mine, warm skin against my palms.
Her discarded shirt lay forgotten as I lifted her, guiding her backward toward the hallway.
She wrapped her legs around my waist, kissing me like she needed it to breathe.
When we reached her bedroom door, she pushed it open without breaking the kiss.
“Nora,” I rasped against her lips. “Tell me what you want.”
Her voice trembled. “You.”
Every restraint I had snapped.
I laid her gently on the bed, hovering above her.
Kissed her neck.
