Greylen took her hand and kissed her palm. Then using his teeth, he grazed her wrist. “I’ve ways to make you talk, love,” he whispered suggestively before carefully scooping her in his arms. He groaned again. She was light as a feather and her body seemed even more slender against his.

“I think I have it all figured out, Greylen,” Gwen said as she pressed her face to his chest. “I’m really in the hospital, on an IV drip, and you’re just a hallucination, a magnificent one, of course.” Greylen offered a quick “thank you, love” at the compliment and she continued, “And in this fantastical hallucination of mine…well, I really didn’t think I would’ve come up with it myself, but I guess you’ve decided to make me your love slave. Is that about right?”

Greylen grinned. “I’d not thought of it, and the idea has merit. But just so you know, I’d have wed you,” he offered with a squeeze. “Father Michael was to come at dawn.”

“See, now I know it’s true. I really am in the hospital. I never imagined unconsciousness would be like this,” she said, waving her hand about the room. “You must be the doctor who’s caring for me, and I guess you’re taking me off life support in the morning.”

Greylen froze in place. Whatever Gwen was working out in her mind, he’d not let her assume she was somewhere else and under someone else’s care. And he sure as hell wouldn’t let her think what he thought she implied. “Explain yourself, Gwendolyn.”

“He’s coming to give me my last rites. I’m going to die tomorrow. That’s why the priest is coming. I hope I remember you, Greylen. I hope I can find you next time…before it’s too late.”

“Ah, Gwendolyn, I swear to you—you’re not going to die in the morning. And Father Michael is coming to see us wed, love. Not to give you last rites.” He made the assurance as he placed her back on the bed and tucked her beneath the covers.

“Oh my God.” Gwen started laughing hysterically. “I’m really dying.”

“I just told you, you’re not dying.” At his words, she became very quiet. Her fingers worked furiously at the bedcovers. Good God, what was going on in that mind of hers now?

“Greylen, can I ask you something?”

“Aye,” he answered, wondering what foolishness she’d come up with.

“Last night, when I was dreaming…it was you, wasn’t it? I mean, I know I’m dreaming, but in my dream, the one I’m in now, you kissed me. You really kissed me, didn’t you?”

“Aye, Gwen, I kissed you.”

“Will you do it again…please?”

She was doing it again. Tempting him back to the gates of hell. Thank God she was beneath the covers. He cursed as she threw them aside…and again as she crawled over to him. He cursed the very same litany as before. Didn’t she know he could see down her shirt? She found her way to his lap…and straddled him!