XC

She nodded, even thanked him politely, hearing his instant purr when Kieran's eyes flashed at her praise. The feel of his hand on her arm, the long stroke of light fingers, stopped her movement. She watched, stunned, as the man lifted her hand to his lips and tenderly kissed it.

Slightly hoarse, Lyla admitted, "I am not entirely sure where I should begin."

He held her gaze, lightly flicked his tongue against her sensitive palm. "You could touch me."

The worst calamities that befall an army arise from hesitation. -Sun Tzu Her entire strategy centered on action, on pushing boundaries between them, on growing stronger as she sought out his weaknesses. There could be no room for hesitation if she wanted to gain ground.