“Lizvetta?” He grazed the backs of his fingers along her cheek. Such strength in him, yet he could caress her so gently. “Look at me.” When she did, his gaze seemed to burn with emotion. “Have I hurt you, love?” How could he make her heart melt so easily? When he looked at her like this, all her defenses crumbled. “No, it’s not that.” In a hoarse voice, he told her, “You are mine. Your life is with me. Do not fight this.”
