Then everything he had been holding back for months collapsed at once.

His hands found her waist and pulled her down onto his lap and he kissed her back with a hunger that had nothing professional left in it, deep and certain and completely honest, and Cleo felt it move through her like something she had forgotten was possible.

She pulled back just enough to look at him. His jaw was tight, his eyes dark, his hands still firm at her waist like he wasn't ready to let go.

"How long?" she asked quietly.

He looked at her. "Too long," he said honestly.

She kissed him again.

He carried her...