"You were saying?" He asked again, almost teasingly, his amber eyes holding a dark glint.

"Stay back, Astride," I warned him, almost breathless.

"Or what?" He leaned closer to me as my heart began to race. Its fast pounding made it difficult for me to breathe through my nostrils, or maybe the air had somehow vanished from existence because I couldn't breathe.

"Please, just stop." My voice was strained and breathless. Astride nose collided with mine, and his lips were a breath away from mine. He had one hand on my waist while the other skillfully moved from my waist, leaving a trail of sparks as it journeyed up to...