Darius's restraint cracked—first a fracture, then a break he couldn't stop.
He didn't think. Didn't pause. His lips descended on hers with a desperation that startled them both, as if kissing her was the only thing anchoring him to this moment… to sanity.
Penny froze for half a breath, her eyes fluttering shut as the heat of him sank into her. When she finally responded tentative at first, then with a quiet, aching hunger something inside him shattered completely.
Her mouth was soft, yielding, and maddeningly sweet. Like a secret he'd waited far too long to taste. He kissed her deeper, slower, savoring every gasp, every tremble.
The ointment bottle slipped from his hand, hitting the floor and rolling away unnoticed. His palm, once tentative, now settled at her waist, fingers splaying possessively as if trying to convince himself she was really there.
