Every soldier needs a commander and it looks like I'm yours.You're a soldier. You need a commander. What makes you the boss?I'm bigger than you are, Draden said, his voice just a little arrogant.Shylah refrained from answering. What was the point? He was bigger.

Her soft voice nearly was the end of his strength. Just when he was certain there was no way he could love her more, she did something like that. She made him feel as if he was everything to her. He'd never been everything to anyone.

She laughed, and the sound was tantalizing. He didn't understand how musical notes could stroke a man's skin and dance along his thighs. He didn't understand how the notes could be an arrow that pierced his heart. She owned him.

Timur." She whispered his name. Knowing she shouldn't. Unable to stop herself. She waited until his blue eyes lifted to hers. "You're not a psychopath, nor are you what your father tried to shape you into. You're...extraordinary.

Ashe couldn't help the way her heart beat faster. Danger. Why did she find herself running right toward it all the time? What was it about adrenaline that made her such an addict? She wanted to feel this way, exhilarated, alive and not quite safe. It was playing with fire, and she knew better.

It was as if he wore a mask and whatever went on behind it wasn't for the world --or her--to see. And she wanted to. She wanted to be that woman, the one who knew him inside and out.

He presented a mask of indifference to the rest of the world, but for her--and their future children-- he would be different. He would share fun and laughter.

Our cats are moody and vicious and if it goes wrong, we have no choice but to put it down. Humans have problems understanding that because they are doing their best to evolve to a higher plane."Ashe didn't point out that she thought it wasn't working.

Ashe's entire face lit up when she laughed. That laughter did something to his insides, turning him to mush, so he thought some of the ice that had frozen all emotions so many years earlier had melted and allowed her deeper.