The heat was unbearable, like a fire trapped deep inside her with nowhere to go. It was driving her mad.

Her vision blurred again as her gaze locked on Zachary. In that moment, he didn''t look like a person-he looked like prey. Her eyes lit up, wild and unfocused, like she might lose control at any second.

With a surge of desperation, she pinched herself hard. The sharp pain hit instantly, but so did a maddening itch, spreading through her like something she couldn''t shake.fn5c31 Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n F?nd-Novel/fn5c31

Her mind started to slip. Then, without warning, she rolled over, threw off the covers, andunched herself at Zachary. "I''m burning up... please, help me."

Zachary jerked awake, startled. His eyes were bloodshot, and he quickly caught her wrists, trying to steady her before she fell.

Sarah kept pushing herself against him, mumbling over and over, "It''s so hot..." He tore open a cooling patch. "Here. This will help.”

But before he could stick it on, she grabbed his hand. "Zachary, I''m feeling so hot."

"Sarah, what are you trying to do? You''re not thinking clearly right now," he said, his voice low and tight.

"I AM thinking clearly," she insisted, trying hard to keep her body under control.

Zachary stared at her for a long moment, eyes locked on hers, trying to read her -trying to figure out what was real and what wasn''t.

Then she whispered again, her voice barely audible. "Zachary... help me." Something inside him snapped.

He closed his eyes for a second, then flipped her beneath him in one swift motion, bracing his hands on either side of her head. His gaze burned into her.

"Say my name," he said, his voice rough.

Her scent filled his lungs, soft strands of hair brushing against his skin. Her body was burning hot beneath him, making it harder and harder for him to hold back.

His hand traced gently along her cheek. She looked dazed, lost in the heat, and he leaned down to kiss her softly.

Then he finally heard her lips part, felt the breath of her voice. "Zachary Reynolds."

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

He dropped his head again, brushing his nose along her cheek, then trailing down

to her neck, hovering there like he was about to bite.

"Zachary..." she called out again, her fingers reaching up to touch him.

That one soft call jolted something in him. He crashed his lips against hers, kissing her hard.

But it wasn''t enough.

Sarah stared at him, eyes zing. "Zachary."

She clung to him tightly. Suddenly, a sting hit her neck, followed by a rush of cold against her fevered skin.

Zachary''s breathing grew heavier. He closed his eyes, a quiet groan escaping as he slowly released her.

"Don''t say didn''t warn you," he said,

a crooked grin tugging at his lips One hand locked around her ankle while the other slid slowly up her leg, brushing over her skin like a snake, smooth and deliberate.  s

The sensation shot through her like lightning. She shivered as a tingling ache spread up her spine.

A sliver of rity returned to her, just enough to realize what was happening-but her body wouldn''t move Fear tried to crawl in, but her flushed skin gave her away. There

was no turning back.

belongs to s

Zachary noticed her hesitation instantly. Without missing a beat, he tightened his grip around her waist and yanked her toward him dipped his head and crushed his mouth against hers, stealing her breath.  s

And finally, with Sarah giving in, Zachary pulled her closer.

The night passed in a blur.

Morning light broke just as dawn arrived.