There it was, that note that told him in a minute the balance of power would shift from him to her, although, truthfully, she always had it. She just didnt know it.

Baby you're reading the situation completely wrong. I know you don't need saving. I do. I need you to save me.

It was dangerous to go back, at least for him, to even think of those days when he was too young and had no way to save the dying. He could only whisper to them, tell them not to be afraid, and that someday, he would avenge them.

She laughed easily, that was one of the things he remembered most. Her laughter. The sound of it. The way she turned everything bad into something good.

Steele had found that once one had a glimpse of what life could be like when it was good, he couldn't go back to dark, ugly days and nights. He existed before Breezy. [...] He hadn't been alive. Breezy had changed all that.

Control is an illusion, Steele. I learned that a long time ago. It doesn't matter who appears to have it. We really only can control ourselves. We have choices. You were my choice.

He stayed right where he was, planted against the door, afraid to move. He'd walked into a room filled with enemies, never flinching, and would do it over and over, but this woman held the power to ruin him.

His mouth came down on hers and then he was just possessing her. Taking her over. Leaving her with nothing of herself because she burned up in the fire he generated.

He knew as much as he was deliberately seducing her, she was doing the same for him, although innocently. She wasn't in the least trying and his body was already hers and always would be.