My first impulse as my eyes opened fully was to inspect the marked area of my neck. Not that I felt any more pain or anguish, but there was a slight tangerine feel to the spot and a leftover bittersweet ache.

The second was deadly.

A shriek reverberated through my throat when I sensed a hard body just behind me. A strong arm draped over the curve of my waist made my heart beat accelerate with both panic and scorching fire that burned where our flesh connected. I could feel his hot breath against the nape of my neck as he sleepily pulled me towards his chest with such fervor...