The moment they were in the room, Owen thrust his fingers into her hair and cradled her head in his big palms.

"I swore to myself ten times over I had no business doing this." Strain made his voice gruff and tight. "But fuck, Shannon. Somehow you're in my blood. This is either gonna kill us or cure us."

Cure. She clutched at his upper arms to anchor herself. Please let it be the cure.

His mouth came down on hers in a kiss far gentler than she anticipated. His ...