Sarafina made fists and pulled against his unyielding grip, unable to find an adequate reply. Theo had gone from frigid to scorching in a half second flat, and she wasn’t processing it all that fast.

He released her wrists and she raised her head, meeting his gaze. Confusion and desire warred for supremacy within her and she had no idea how to react to this turn of events.

Theo’s jaw locked. All he did was look down at her mouth, staring at her lips. After a long moment, he lowered his head and tasted them. It was so gentle, so at odds with the way Theo had acted up until now. Sarafina closed her eyes and melted a little, her knees going weak. Her fingers found the front of his shirt and twined in the material, holding on for dear life as his lips skated over hers, savoring her.

Sarafina parted her lips a little, urging him to take the bait. He did, parting her lips farther, slanting his mouth firmly over hers and sliding his tongue within her mouth. The brush of his tongue against hers was like fire and set her pulse racing.

His hands slipped to the small of her back and he pushed, drawing her flush up against his chest as he slanted his mouth across hers and deepened the kiss. Sarafina’s mind shut down for a moment as she was immersed in Theo—the feel, smell, and heat of him.

The softness of the initial kiss was gone, replaced by hot, brutal need. Now his lips were almost harsh against hers, his tongue seeking as much contact with her tongue as he could get. Like he wanted to consume her. Like all he wanted in the world was to kiss her and this would be his only chance.

Sarafina whimpered deep in her throat. In all her life she’d never been kissed this way. Hell, the way Theo did it made her feel like she’d never once been kissed at all. Her mind spun and she could do nothing but grip his shoulders, fingers finding anxious purchase in the material of his shirt. His muscles bunched and flexed as he moved, accentuating how large and imposing a man he was. Sarafina didn’t want the kiss to end.

But then he was gone.

Tottering unsteadily on her feet, she opened her eyes and saw him disappear down the hallway. Her lips were swollen and her body tingled with awareness of him. Unable to move, she just stared at his retreating form, feeling like she’d been a hit-and-run.

“Theo.” His name came out in a croak.

He didn’t stop.