Their kiss grew vibrant and steamy, yet held a tenderness they'd shared only once, moments before he left fifteen months ago. It was a small taste of the man he'd been back then, of the woman she'd been, and that the moment could be recaptured hadn't escaped either of them.

Stefan eased back, drawing in needed air and pressing his forehead to hers. "Don't say anything."

"I wasn't going to."

"Yeah, sure."

"Except…" Her eyes teared a bit as she tipped her head back and swept her fingers up ...