Sarah paused, her dark, clear eyes meeting his for a fleeting second.
She was about to extend her hand when suddenly, his fingers closed tightly around her wrist, pulling her into his embrace.
His lips crashed down on hers with bruising force.
The cup slipped from her hand, shattering on the floor with a sharp, crystalline sound.
But his grip showed no sign of loosening.
He crushed his mouth against hers, as if pouring all the longing he'd bottled up for so long into that single, desperate kiss.
Her cheeks flushed crimson.
His hands felt like magnets, holding her captive—and she had no desire to pull away.
Pressed tightly against his chest, she was acutely aware of his injuries, afraid to struggle lest she hurt him further.
So she yielded, letting him pour out his emotions even as his embrace threatened to crush her.
She lost track of time, aware only of the growing numbness in her lips.
