The kiss was deep and full of desperate love. It felt as if they were trying to make up for every second they had spent apart. Marissa's heart soared. She wanted him closer. She wanted to feel all of him. She reached her hand around his back, her fingers gripping the dark fabric of his tunic to pull him firmly against her.
The moment shattered instantly.
Derek let out a sharp, guttural groan of agony. His body went rigid, and he jerked away from her. The warmth of the kiss was replaced by the cold, biting air of the room.
Marissa's hands dropped. She looked at him, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. Her heart hammered in her chest, but this time it wasn't from excitement. It was pure worry.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Her voice was small and trembling.
Derek took a jagged breath. He squeezed his eyes shut for a second, his face pale in the moonlight. He tried to stand straight, but his shoulders were hunched. He shook his head slowly.
