Chapter 53 Stop Guessing

• Alaric silenced her with a kiss, his lips pressing firmly against Emerald's. He never expected this quiet woman to be so bold. She wanted this more than he’d anticipated, more than she’d ever let on before.
• In the past, she would cling to him, just softly crying. But now, she matched his movements, her fingers tracing along the muscles of his back.
• Her fingertips brushed over scars—a large one on his chest and several smaller ones on his back. The rough texture beneath her touch felt like badges of honor, something to admire rather than avoid.