He’d given up his mortality, his soul, for this moment, this second chance, and if she fell in love with him again, he needed to know it was real.

You made it clear you did not want to discuss the past with him. I followed through on your request.”“By beating him senseless?”Calisto looked at Tom, then back to her. “Perhaps he never had any sense to begin with.

She brought her hand to his chest. His chiseled musclesresponded to her touch, and a moan escaped her as he clutched hertighter. Calisto’s fingers slid through her hair, and her lips parted, hertongue tasting him, tangling with his until her knees buckled.Dear God, this man could kiss.

The monsignor called after him, “If I am to blame, then why have I not met the same fate as Brother Mentigo and Brother De Cardina before him? Why am I still alive?”Calisto glared over his shoulder at the monsignor and growled. “Because there are worse punishments than death. Live with your guilt, old man. May it rot in your heart and kill you slowly for manyyears to come.