Again and again, until it was raw and overwhelming.

The night was quiet. The woman lay curled in the man’s arms, still drowned in the lingering heat from just moments ago.

Julian propped himself up slightly. Like it was second nature, he reached for the nightstand drawer. He remembered two unopened packs of cigarettes inside. But when he pulled a pack out, he paused—then put it back.

He lowered his gaze to the woman in his arms, his expression open ...