The kiss.

He dreamed about it. He tasted it. He could think of little else.

Late in the third day after his return, Stephens removed the IV line and Monroe took a shower. He hated the exhaustion he felt from doing something so simple. He also hated the fuss made over his wounds, his food, and his sleep. He had no patience for a slow recovery.

He fought a smile when Angel finally brought in a skein of rope and sat with him in bed while he tied her arms in ...