“Before we parted ways,” Sterling said, “you told me something. With everything that has been happening, what you said was in the back of my thoughts. Seeing you here...” Sterling’s gaze scanned me from the top of my head to the toes of my shoes. With each inch, his stare sent sparks over my flesh until fire smoldered in his darkened orbs and my skin was ablaze. “...has brought your declaration back.”

Goose bumps prickled beneath the burn as I recalled ...