A soft laugh escaped Gavriel, low and controlled, though every instinct in him stirred at the invitation in her voice. He stepped closer, close enough to feel her warmth, close enough to notice the faint scent of wine and snow clinging to her hair.

“Careful what you ask for,” he murmured.

She smiled, slow and sleepy, trusting. “Help me change. Then we sleep.”

Sleep.

The word should have steadied him. Instead, it tightened something deep in his chest.

He reached for her hands, ...