y hair across my face and some hair entered my mouth.

ere he

ke he didn't have a home to get to. He wasn't moving. He lo

in and I didn't ima

on Elena? Don't even answer that right now.. can you come get him? It

wet wood. He didn't turn but I know he must

Elena." He

arely a whisper. "It's cold

end for someo

of fear straight through my heart. I walked until I stood beside

the wind causing me to shiver.

and stared at me. I didn'

and that's the worst

d of temptation? That's bullsh

"It doesn't matter if it's true. It only matters that it could be true. The doubt... th

ing. Not fr

own voice starting to break

e water, defeated. "

ut before I could stop them. "For

out m

was a snake. A test he

ached up. His fingers, icy cold, brushed against mine. A jol

ot to his feet, unsteady. Our bodies collided in the dark, my shoulder against his c

ee. I could feel the frantic beat of his heart against mine, the heat of

re were only the two of us, clin

were gone, replaced by something else.

Not off the pier.

ectrocuted. He took a hurried step back,

was a prayer and a

ugging myself. "Just...

ng before we got home. The house was dark and blessedly warm. We shed our jackets in the hallway, the silence screamin

llowe

back. I turned, and he was there, too close, his eyes dark

," he breathed,

whispered.

up, not to touch me, but to grip the counter nex

was shatterin

el the heat from his skin. He was going to touch me. He

going to

he tile a drop of water from our j

s kicking in. His arms shot out

ip was iron around my waist, mine clutching at his shoulders as we fought for balance

re fr

hearts hammering against each other's ribs. His arms were locked

aze dropped to my lips. I knew what was comin

door swu

the kitchen, illuminating the

old eyes took in the scene in one swift gaze, smiling like he'd been given a trophy. Daniel

t just hardened into something

voice like ice, "inte

t as if someth

ale, stony mask. "Mr. Sterling. What are yo

ked to the living room and retrieved a black leather journal from the couch. He h

ze sweeping over me with cont

ed to prevent, Father. It seems my concerns were not unfounded. I w

ng than any explosion. Daniel didn't look at me. He just stood there, staring at the s

poke, his voice w

hispered. "The

time, the click of his bedroom loc

oor. It was addressed to me. The subject line: "Formal cease Directive Regarding