Evaline:
I watched as he tilted his head slightly, his eyes sharpening in that way only he could manage. The storm that had been hiding in his expression shifted -less guilt now, more intent. And then, his mouth curved in the faintest, most dangerous smile.
"Are you warning me, little mate?" he drawled, his voice dipping lower, smooth like velvet and iron all at once.
The tone made my stomach tighten instantly. "I'm not warning you, I'm just-"
"Challenging me?" he interrupted, taking one slow step closer. He was so near that I could feel the warmth of his body seeping into mine. "Because it sounds a lot like you are challenging me, Evaline Greystone."
My breath caught. My fingers were still clutching his healed hand, but he twisted it gently in his hold, turning my wrist until his thumb traced lazy, burning circles on the inside of it. The place where my pulse hammered.
