“No. I believe in fate and our ability to decide for ourselves what our ultimate destiny will be. You’re a powerful Key, I’m a member of the Seven, and if we decide to mate and survive, we will. There’s no other way life makes sense, and it’s time you stopped running and faced what you need to face.” He released his belt and drew it through the belt loops, the sound making an erotic wisp she felt in her core.

“I don’t want you to die,” she whispered.

“I won’t.” He unclasped the button on his jeans.

Oh, she wanted her mouth on those abs. “I don’t want to die either,” she admitted, her legs trembling with a combination of need and fear.

“You won’t.” He reached for the front of her coat and slowly unzipped it, giving her plenty of time and room to take another step back. “I won’t force you, and you know it. I won’t hurt you, and you know it. This is your decision, and it’s time you made it. You either trust me to protect you, to protect us both, or you don’t.” He released the zipper but didn’t make another move.

He was asking for what she’d never given anybody but her sister. Absolute trust. The woman she’d been before the coma would’ve made the leap of faith. Of trust. Would’ve believed that Adare was as powerful as he seemed. Was she still that woman? “What if you’re wrong?” she breathed.

“I’ll have no regrets.” He drew her coat down her arms and dropped it next to his. “Not a one. You’re going to have to trust me on that, too.”

She did believe in mind over matter. There was a lot about the immortal world she didn’t understand, and there was no doubt Adare did. “All right. I trust you.” She gave it all to him, letting go of doubt and the fear of risk. Of failure. If they both went all in, as he’d said, then they’d survive and deal with the problems of tomorrow…tomorrow. “So. I haven’t done this in a while.”

His smile held charm and amusement. “I’ll guide you through it.”

Why was she suddenly so nervous? Oh yeah. The hottest male on earth was about to see her naked. Thank goodness she’d shaved her legs that morning. “I think I remember what goes where.” She tried for humor but her words came out breathless.

“Good to know.” He unbuttoned her sweater, his gaze scorching.

Finally giving in to temptation, she flattened her hands across his abs, letting the hard ridges fill her palms. “Were you like this before you underwent the Seven ritual?” According to Faith, the ritual was a near death experience that involved fire, blood, and traveling between worlds.