Page 104 of Fuse

The dilemma I already feel him reading in me. Thank God some things haven’t changed.

“So what are you asking, Emmalina?”

A deep breath. Another. And then a study of the dark beyond, borrowing from its vastness for strength. Because even though this vista is black, I still know there’s a ridge beneath us. A foundation, even in the unknown.

“Everything’s different now,” I finally utter.

“Is it?”

I shoulder-bump him. “You know what I mean.” But then scoop my head over, tucking myself against that carved, broad plateau of muscle. “So I guess I’m just wondering…”

“What?” Though Reece’s voice is rough, his demeanor is gentle. I have no way of telling him how grateful I am, besides the equally tender grasp I form around his raised knee. I don’t dare try anything more. With glaring clarity, I now understand what he goes through after intense missions. The aftereffect of burning through so much energy in such a short amount of time… It’s like when the sugar kicks in after drinking too much wine, the mellow buzz replaced by a tired but sizzling restlessness. It’s hard to stay still. It’s really hard to mind my manners. I get double points for doing so, since I’m pressed against my sculpted, sinewy, and completely naked fiancé.

But we have to talk this out. And it has to be now.

After another fortifying inhalation, I lick my lips, lift my head, and state, “I guess I’m wondering how you feel about that.”

And there it is. Bald and exposed and truthful and scary.

Especially because his answer isn’t immediate.

Which means he must either love or hate the question—a perception I can’t get an accurate reading on, even with my fab new “Emma ESP.”

So I stammer on, attempting to compensate for my wild nervousness. “Okay, so I—I guess I mean that—well, that I’m different now, so it would stand to reason that we’ll be too, so if you’re freaked out and need some time to think about it or whatever, then I underst—”

The man razes my words—and damn near all my senses—down to their scorched, charred foundations with his fierce grip to my face and his brutal possession of my lips. I don’t even get out an answering sigh because he steals it from me, breaching me with a ruthless sweep of his tongue, which possesses me with commanding force.

Dear God. I thought I’d experienced every passionate kiss in the man’s arsenal. Right now, it feels like I’ve never kissed him—or anyone else. My senses are like virgin grass beneath a forest fire, seared to the roots and then exposed for punishment by all the elements. It hurts, but I’ve never felt more alive. It’s hot, but I’ve never wanted more blisters.

Sound finally tumbles from me in the form of a protesting moan when he pulls away and we can both suck down some air. He answers my dissent with a maddening, mesmerizing smile. His perfect white teeth glow against the gloom, an ideal accompaniment for the silver sparks in his eyes.

“My beautiful Velvet,” he murmurs, a soft chide in his voice. “Of course I’m freaked out.”

“Oh.” I stutter it out in three separate parts. “Um. Okay…”

“But why is that a bad thing?” He twists to face me fully, going nearly crisscross with his legs. Only with sheer force of will do I keep my stare from dropping into the gap between his timber-log thighs. My climbing libido will not be able to handle the sight of the perfect treasure there…

“Well, it wasn’t like you had any warning about this.” I’m bemused by how defined I now am, thirty seconds after bumbling through my sentences. “And I know it probably wasn’t the best-thought-out plan, but when I got back here, all that filled my mind were images of them dragging you away into Faline’s torture chamber…”

So much for clarity and composure. Tears take over my voice, and not delicate little princess ones either.

“Ssshhh,” Reece consoles, spreading his hand to the back of my neck and kneading me steadily there. “It’s all right, baby. I get it. I know.”

“I felt so helpless,” I grate. “After my shitty call had landed you back in your worst nightmare…”

“A nightmare you had to endure too,” he counters. “Apparently twice—and willingly volunteering yourself for the repeat ride too.”

I swallow hard. “Just as you did.” And I don’t hide the subtle accusation in my voice.

“Yeah.” He presses harder on my neck, pulling me closer to feather his full lips across my forehead. “Just as I did—and as I would all over again, given the same set of circumstances courtesy of that deranged witch.”

I slide my eyes shut, savoring the feeling of having him so close and big and near, before steeling myself for being the one that’s likely about to blow it to shreds. “Reece?”

“Hmmm?”

“I…I didn’t kill her.” I dot that stunner with a soft wince, hoping it sufficiently relays everything I can’t add out loud. I couldn’t. I have no idea why. She doesn’t deserve to live. I would’ve been doing the entire world a favor. But—

“I know.”