Embrace the Night

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passion.

He made love to her all the night long, his hands memorizing the incredible smoothness of her skin, the silky texture of her hair, the tantalizing taste of her lips. He buried his face in her neck and drew in a deep breath, drowning in the sweet scent of her warm, supple flesh.

His hands adored her, his voice caressed her, surrounded her, until she could think of nothing but Gabriel—the wonder of his body, the magic in his hands, the sweet caring in his voice as he whispered her name.

And then his flesh merged with hers and they were one being. Two hearts beating as one, two souls joined together. He buried himself deep within her, sheathing himself in her warmth, burying his darkness in the light of her touch. Enveloped in her warmth and humanity, he let himself forget, for the moment, that he was in reality a demon disguised as a man.

He made love to her thoroughly and completely, until she fell asleep, sated and exhausted, in his arms.
He held her until he felt the stealthy approach of the dawn, and then he kissed her one last time.

Rising, he dressed quickly, then wrote her a short note, telling her that he had left the city while she slept, begging her to go on with her life.

He left the note where she would be sure to find it, and then he pressed a gentle kiss to her brow. "Farewell, cara," he murmured.

And knew at that moment that if he still had a heart, it would be breaking.
Chapter Eighteen

Shrouded in the shadows, Maurice watched Gabriel leave Sara Jayne's apartment and then, as he had before, he followed the man to the deserted cottage.

At last, the time had come. He had spent most of the night preparing for what he intended to see accomplished before the sun set on the morrow.

He prayed that he had the courage to see it through. He hoped that Sara Jayne would forgive him.

Hidden in the darkness, he watched Gabriel unlock the door to the house and step inside. And then he waited.

Not until the sun was well above the horizon did he approach the dwelling, pulling the small wagon he had hidden in the trees the day before.

He walked around the house, peering in each window, assuring himself that Gabriel was nowhere to be seen. And then he lifted the first cross from the back of the wagon.

Two hours later, the cottage was surrounded by wooden crosses. They were placed against the walls of