Erik heeded that call with a guttural groan. He lifted her, and she wrapped her arms tighter around him, grasping him. She refused to be separated from him even for a moment. With one hand he held her, bracing her against the wall, while the other slid down to her ankle, then up, taking her gown and chemise with it while the cold metal of his ring brushed her skin.

Mya shifted to help him raise her dress. When he tugged it to her waist, she wrapped her legs around him, crossing her ...