Valia froze, breath catching at his sudden honesty. He caught her hands easily, his grip firm but unhurried, and with his free hand, began to undo each button she’d just closed, his gaze never leaving hers.

Her gaze darted down, then back up. Her face flushed scarletand she took few steps back, creating an ample distance between them

“Oh,” she whispered, a hand lightly covering her mouth.

Ligon chuckled softly, his voice a velvet rumble. “Yes, oh.”

"Then let me help you,” she ...