He made a sound low in his throat and turned her to face him. His lips grazed across her cheek and then pressed down on her own. She sighed against his mouth, and he kissed her harder, invading her mouth with his tongue and pulling her body tight against his. Too slowly, she realized what was happening. She went stiff in his arms and tried to pull away. He sighed and let her go.

A long silence fell between them. He held her loosely in his arms, but she didn't dare to break his embrace ...