No. Impossible. Esther refused to die so foolishly. She would not leave this world before living the life she dreamed of, before reaching the future she longed for. She had to find a way to tame Gaara Maxwell.

So with the last of her strength, she acted on instinct. Esther pressed her lips against his, a desperate, reckless kiss that shocked him enough to loosen his hold. Seizing the moment, she bit down hard, forcing him to break away with a curse.

His grip faltered, and she twisted free, ...