He finally pulls away, allowing me a chance to drag breath back into my lungs as the depravity of this settles in. A soft smile graces the sharp contours of his face, and his hands drift down, pulling the shawl from my neck. I don’t have time to object, my head still trying to catch up with the blaze that kiss left. There’s a sharp intake of breath that snaps me back; Elia’s fierce gaze locks onto my neck, one hand coming up to shield me from our audience. He leans in, pressing his forehead against mine, and when I think he’s about to kiss me a second time, he exhales, closing his eyes, still
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