Stubborn female. He grasped her chin between his thumb and forefinger, careful not to cause a bruise, and turned her head to face him. She was unique and special, and she had to know that fact before he died. “You have the ability to capture who people really are, and it’s right there in front of you. You know it, you feel it, and it’s time you owned it.”

Her small nostrils flared. “You’re saying I capture the soul. Through my camera.”

A soul? It wasn’t how he’d put it, but okay. “I’m just saying that you’re the only person in the world who could’ve captured that essence of your sister, and deep down, you know it. Soul, essence, being…whatever. It’s a gift, Grace. One you could really hone if you wanted. You look past the shield to who people are, and you use a camera to do it, but probably don’t need the device.” She surprised and impressed him, and both were nearly impossible to do after his centuries upon centuries of living.

He saw the instant she decided to withdraw rather than deal with the situation.

“Okay.” She shut the book. “I’m ready for bed now.”

He wasn’t sure whether it was her stubbornness or her softness, but he tightened his hold on her chin and leaned in. Her eyes widened.

His true nature took over, full force, and his mouth covered hers.

* * * *

The intensity of his kiss pushed her back on the bed, and she clamped her hands on his T-shirt, pulling him down with her. With a slight whisper, the photo album slid harmlessly to the floor.

Adare growled, low and deep, the vibrations resonating down her throat to zing around her chest, tweak her nipples, then head directly south to land below her abdomen. He kissed her with a gentle but insistent strength, his tongue sweeping inside, and his lips curving over hers, possessive and demanding at the same time.

He dug both hands into her hair, holding her in place on the bed, partially rolling over her and landing on one knee, crouched above her and working her mouth as if he’d been starving for a taste.

She closed her eyes, kissing him back, letting pleasure and need fuse together and run through her unimpeded. Never in her life had she been kissed like this. While she might not remember her entire history, she’d remember anything that felt this good. Even so, there was a control in his touch, in his kiss, that she craved to let loose.

Her hands flattened over the hard planes of his chest, her fingers curving over his rock-solid shoulders and digging in, trying to draw him even nearer.