So much for keeping things business when it came to Jenna Darrow. If this had been a test, he figured he’d just failed it with flying colors.

I never knew what it was to crave a woman’s touch. Or to hunger for a woman’s kiss.” “And now you do?” she asked hesitantly. “Since I met you, Corinne Bishop, I’ve been thinking of little else.

Would I be healed now if you gave me your blood, Nikolai?” “Are you asking me for it?” “If I were, would you give it to me?

Look at me Elise. Tell me what you think I’m feeling,” he murmured, then bent his head to hers and pressed his mouth to her parted lips.

I’m not going to leave you here to bleed my friend dry.” “If that had been my intent, they’d already be dead on the floor.

He was the ghost you never saw coming, death breathing down your neck before you even realized you were in the crosshairs.

She wanted to feel him pound away her fears, a hammer to smash through all her guilt and pain and emptiness.