Edeline For a heartbeat, the world ceased to exist. There was no dark road, no police raid, no Tyler possibly behind bars—there was only the solid weight of Auric’s hand in my hair, his lips hot and demanding, crashing into mine with a hunger that felt like it could swallow me whole. I gasped, and he used that opening to slide his tongue past my teeth—a delicate drag that sent a shiver down my spine. He tilted his head, adjusting the angle and I felt the warmth of his mouth settle perfectly against mine. His tongue brushed against mine, the movement feeling like an electric jolt before he teased the ridges of my mouth, tasting every inch of me, claiming every hidden corner as if he were marking his territory. It was wet, hot, and utterly suffocating, making my stomach clench in on

