She tried to shift, and a sharp pain in her lower back made her bgasp/b. “Ouch.”

Julian was instantly by her side. “Where does it hurt? Let me rub it for byou/bb.” /b

He rubbed his hands together to warm them before sliding them under the covers to massage her lower back.

The contact of hisrge hands on her skin sent a shiver through her. She looked

up bat /bhim.

“This is your fault, Sienna grumbled.

“You’re right. It’s all my bfault/b,” Julian admitted readily. “I’m sorry. Maybe I’ll go a little slower next time. Be gentler. How does that

sound?”

His words sent a flush of heat through her as she remembered the night before.

She’d never imagined this refined, gentle man could whisper such filthy, incredible things in her ear. He had been relentless, his hunger seemingly impossible to satisfy

There won’t be a next time,” Sienna retorted, though there was no bheat /bin her re.

Julian paused, then said with perfect sincerity, “But I asked you ten timesst night, and you said you wanted it. You said it felt good. I thought I was doing a decent job. It would be ba /bshame if there was no next time, don’t you think?”

Sienna’s eyes went wide. He was saying all bthis /bbwith /bba /bpletely straight face. Did he feel no bshame/b?

Julian, you.“Sienna stammered.

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop teasing. Let’s get some food in you.”

Julian helped her sit up against the headboard and began to feed her the porridge. “bHow /bis it

Sienna nodded. “bIt’s /bgood. Did you make bit/b?”

I did. I’m d you like it. I also had your people call a doctor. They should be here soon to check on you, make sure there are no side effects from the drug, Julian exined

Sienna was about to say it bwasn’t /bnecessary, but she knew Lana and the others were worried, so she didn’t object.

“Siennab, /bEleanor Yeast is dead.” Julian said.

Sienna was only slightly surprised. She’d expected it, just not so soon,

“Did you do it?” She asked.

Julian nodded. “I did. But not entirely on my own.”

“I see. She got what she deserved. bWhat /bare you doing here anyway? I didn’t know you were leaving the country.”

Julian met her clear gaze, his expression earnest andpletely sincere. “Because I missed you.”

Sienna paused, her gaze dropping to herp. “Mm.”

“When are you nning on going back?” Julian asked.

‘It’ll be a while. I still have things to take care of here.”

They fell into an easy conversation. Before they knew it, the doctor arrived. After a quick examination, he confirmed she was perfectly fire, with no trace of the drug left in her system.

After Sienna bhad /beatenb, /bbJulian /bbegan massaging her shoulders again. His gaze drifted down to her stomach, and ba /bflicker of guilt crossed his face.

He had been so lost in the moment

bent /bbst /bnight. Someone had knocked on the door, probably to bring them protection.

Hut he had been in no state to answer

Taking a deep leath, he decided to confess. “Sienna, L.. I didn’t use anythingst night. I’m sorry. If you don’t want. someone bring YOU

Before he could finish, Sienna cut him off, her vo

Julian froze, his hands stilling on her shoulders. An inmense wave of joy washed over him, so powerful it made his head spin

Did she mean… if it happened, she would be okay with it?

“Sienna, do you mean what I think you mean?

“Yes. If it happensb, /bwe’ll have it.”

bJulian’s /beyes lit up. He leaned in close, “So… does that mean we can try again tonight?

Sienna was speechless.

Thom

Thorn Noir’s eyes ttered open. He was in a hospital room. He rubbed his head, a chill ache reminding him of the car crashst night.

Right, Sienna

He was on his way to Sienna Hart’s house. How could he have crashed on the way-

AD