He took another step forward. In the way of distance, there wasn't a whole lot between them, and he reached out, taking the big guy's hand in his, shuddering as the warmth transferred. He hadn't even noticed how cold he was.

"Wouldn't have to be another life, birdie," he said honestly. "This life, the right time and the right place? I ain't a betting kinda guy — " Because every horse he'd ever bet on had come in last " — but if I was, I'd have put all odds on us."

"Shit." Raven nestled his eyes closed again. Swallowed so hard that his Adam's apple did a jiggy little...