He sobered instantly. “Not at all. But it dawned on me how refreshing it is to sit here and not know what your thoughts are. This is what it’s like for normal people to converse . . . I never had a clue before.”

“I can’t imagine being lambasted by everyone’s thoughts all the time.”

“The only helpful part is knowing when someone’s about to take a shot at my head. And that’s the most disconcerting part about being with you. I never realized before how much I depend on the abilities I’ve always said I hated.”

Jayne reached out and touched his knee. “So, you really have no idea what I’m thinking?”

“Not even a little.”

Impishly, she sprang forward and tickled him.

Hadrian had no idea what to expect and it shocked him that his arms were suddenly full of Jayne. No one had ever really played with him. Not even when he was a kid.

Laughing, he grabbed her hands. “Stop! I yield!”

She did but kept her hands on his abdomen. There was a glint in her eyes that he didn’t understand.

Not until she leaned forward and kissed him.

The soft touch of her lips on his . . .

It set fire to his blood. Closing his eyes, he surrendered himself to her affection.

Jayne smiled as she breathed in the scent of cinnamon and spice. Hadrian had an infectious scent that made him taste all the sweeter.

What had begun as a prank was no longer feeling that way. Especially given the fact that he held her so tenderly that it melted her will to withdraw.

You need to stop!

The voice in her head roared, but she couldn’t help herself. It’d been too long since she’d found anyone she’d been interested in. Too long since she’d allowed herself to be attracted to someone.

He was everything she’d wanted.

And everything she couldn’t have.

She knew it. What he wanted and what she prayed for were completely different goals.

The only thing they had in common was that they were both wanted dead.

And she was supposed to kill him.

No, she was required to kill him.

Thank the gods that he couldn’t hear her thoughts, or he’d probably strangle her.

Still . . .

She couldn’t say no. Not right now.

Not like this.

Hadrian growled as she deepened their kiss. He couldn’t get enough of her.

Not after this raw, sensual taste and the newfound addiction to her buried him in a landslide.

With every breath, he wanted her more. Wanted to wear her scent on his skin.

Every beat of his heart was a reminder of how she made it race. How much he was grateful that she’d careened into his precarious life and set it on fire.

Even if she’d been sent there to abduct and then kill him.

I’m so fucked up.

But at least he knew it. And now that he held her . . .

Impatience grabbed hold of him.