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aroused such a feeling within her.
    Her skin was flushed, her breath shallow as she lifted her gaze. Ryker’s chin dropped, a ripple of desire darkening his eyes to a smoky sheen. The sight made it difficult to catch her breath.
    For so long, she’d wished for more time with him—a moment, a night, anything the fates could spare—but she’d never believed it possible. That made it all the more important that she take the chance now. Chaos might ensue, but the last thing she wanted was to leave this world with regrets.
    Tipping back her head, she swallowed her fear. This is it , she told herself. Her one and only chance to be with him again. Tomorrow, duty would rear its ugly head and tear them apart. But she didn’t want to think about that. She was so tired of focusing on the future and all it held in store. The present was to be cherished, and she was done hiding from it.
    Jenna clung to her newfound determination and threaded her fingers through his tousled hair. It hung low on his collar, shrouding his inked cross from view. Canting her head, she brushed the strands away, her fingers hovering above them. Her lips tingled with the memory of running them along the painted edges, savoring the sweet taste of his flesh, all the while knowing how pivotal the cross was to keeping him alive. Could she do so again? Or would it now burn to her touch?
    He snared her wrist in a controlling but gentle grip the moment her fingers lowered toward it. Her gaze roamed the tapestry of sharp angles that made up his face, wandering over his full lips before continuing up the bridge of his nose and meeting his molten eyes. They burned like coals, the gray she knew and loved smoldering with heat.
    “Jenna...” His head dipped toward her, his mouth poised above hers.
    She shook her head. The last thing she wanted was to talk. He’d witnessed what she was capable of back in the alley, knew how uncontrolled her magic was, and their shared kiss had only driven that point home. Even now, the air between them reeked of burned ozone and a scorching heat lingered on her flesh.
    She wanted him so badly, she could hardly think beyond the ache between her legs. Her magic sensed her need, craving the release she’d denied herself for so long. If this was to be her last night on earth, she hardly wanted to spend it listening to accusations or rationalizations. She wasn’t blind to the silver blade extending from the sleeve of his jacket, or the dagger strapped within his boot. And she was well aware of the concealed pistol, tucked in the small of his back and loaded with silver bullets. She couldn’t allow herself to forget that he was a hunter and she a witch. But for tonight, that was exactly what she wanted. To simply be Ryker and Jenna again, to feel him above her, to finally be with him again.
    “Ryker...” she whispered. “I don’t want to talk tonight. I just want—” Her voice vanished, teeth raking over her bottom lip. How could she tell him all that she’d denied herself since discovering the truth? Too frightened of her magic, she’d locked herself away, too afraid to bring herself to the edge of pleasure.
    “What do you want?” he questioned, relinquishing her wrist to brush a stray lock of hair back from her cheek.
    Breath poised on her lips, she squared her shoulders, refusing to allow her nerves to frighten her any longer. She had many regrets, but only one burned with a fiery passion she could no longer deny. The thought of leaving this world without attempting to appease it was overwhelming. Selfish, perhaps, but the undeniable need burning in Ryker’s eyes gave her courage. He wanted her as much as she did him.
    “You.”
    Ryker swallowed hard, his hands settling around her waist and bringing her against him. He lowered his head, and she shivered when his lips brushed against the soft skin beneath her ear. “Well, here I am, sweetheart,” he rumbled, his voice laced with relief. “What remains to be seen is what