Sophia Sullivan stood up.
She walked toward the medical kit in the corner.
Ethan Sullivan wanted to say it wasn’t necessary.
But before he could speak, she was already gone.
His gaze darkened.
A faint itch prickled in his chest.
Sophia returned quickly.
The darkness posed no obstacle for her.
She could always adapt to any environment.
"Come closer."
She moved the candlestick nearer.
The bloodstains on the gauze were stark.
Sophia’s expression remained blank.
But her touch was featherlight.
When the final layer of gauze was peeled away,
the wound beneath was gruesome.
She applied the medicine with practiced ease.
"Bear with it."
Outside, the rain poured relentlessly.
Inside, the candlelight was soft.
Fresh bandages were wrapped carefully.
A thin sheen of sweat glistened at Sophia’s temple.
If the wound reopened, infection would follow.
That would be a real problem.
"Mr. Sullivan, you only have one life."
She tidied the medical kit.
The bloodied gauze lay discarded beside them.
The defined lines of his torso were impossible to ignore.
Sophia averted her gaze.
How strange.
They had done far more intimate things.
Yet now, she couldn’t bring herself to look.
"I’ll get you a clean shirt."
She started to rise.
His hand clamped around her wrist.
The sudden pull sent her tumbling into his lap.
Her eyes met his—dark, fathomless.
The air grew thick.
His arm circled her waist.
"Don’t tell me you’re taking this seriously?"
Her fingers traced his brow,
lingering on the mole at his throat.
"Blurring the lines is dangerous."
Her smile was icy.
Her grip tightened slightly.
"I’m not safe to be around."
Ethan chuckled low.
"Funny. Neither am I."
Their gazes locked.
Mutual warning flashed in their eyes.
The smart move was to push him away.
But the next second,
their lips crashed together.
Heat erupted instantly.
The kiss burned like wildfire.
Ethan lifted her onto the bed.
The candle flame trembled violently.
Sophia gasped for air,
clinging to him like a drowning woman.
Clothes tangled and slipped away.
His mouth trailed downward,
stopping at the edge of her skirt.