Thorn swallowed against her shoulder. “Oh, and by the way, I love you.” Ophelia’s sob caught in her throat. She could no longer speak. Breathing hurt her. Thorn’s hands disappeared into her thick mass of curls. She became even shorter of breath. He clasped her body against his own, as close as was physically possible, and then pulled away from her with almost brutal briskness. He cleared his throat, suddenly hoarse. “It’s . . . it’s a little harder than I thought it would be.”
