NORA
I stare at Mars, my pulse going out of control again. He looks like he's suffering, yet somehow he's still… beautiful. The vulnerability in his face makes my throat tighten.
I gently push him back down onto the pillows. "Lie down. Stop talking. Just sleep."
He doesn't resist me at all.
I sit beside him on the edge of the bed and start stroking his damp hair back from his forehead in unhurried, soothing motions.
"I'm not going anywhere," I murmur. "I'll stay right here. Just close your eyes."
He stares up at me for a long moment, those dark blue eyes searching mine like he's trying to read every thought I'm not saying out loud. Then his mouth curves into the smallest smirk.
"You're deflecting," he rasps. "Why? Would you rather stay in the dark?"
I freeze, the cloth in my hand h
