Claire's pov

Our lips met again, our love consuming us whole like a raging inferno that threatened to burn us to ashes. And yet, even as we surrendered to the flames, I knew that we would emerge unscathed, our love tempered like steel in the fire.

As we surrendered to the flames of our passion, our love became a living, breathing thing. We stood in the room as the warm glow cast golden light over our entwined bodies.

"I love you, Claire," Darien whispered, his breath hot against my skin.

"I ...