The velvet trap

halls. Elena sat by the grand piano in the music room, absently trailing her fingers across t

on her, like heat on skin after a flame passes too close. She'd spent years locked in a loveless

attractio

terrifi

east wing. Gabriel was still there, working long past what was necessary. That wasn't about

th anticipation as s

lt heavier with intent. She didn't even pretend to invent a reason this ti

ne beneath the arch of a hallway, sleeves rolled up, his shirt clinging to his frame from the heat a

eep," she said

replied. "Too m

the space between them

lly do this,"

red. "But I haven't stop

chin, just enough to bring her lips closer to his. The kiss was slow at first, exploratory, b

d away beneath touch. When Gabriel backed her gently against the paneled wall, his mouth trailing down her throat,

wasn't ju

recla

d resting against hers. "Te

ed for the first time in years. "No

-

of P

-