"That's obviously my cue to depart." Patience grinned. "Coward," she whispered, as he passed her chair. A heartbeat later, he'd swung about and bent over her, his breath feathering the side of her neck. His strength flowed around her, surrounded her. "Incidentally," he murmured, in his deepest purr, "I meant what I said about the daybed." He paused. "So, if you have the slightest inkling of self-preservation, you won't move from this chair." Cool, hard lips brushed her ear, then slid lower, to lightly caress, with just the barest touch, the sensitive skin beneath her jaw. Patience lost the fight and shivered; her lids lowered. Vane tipped her chin up; his lips touched hers in a fleeting, achingly incomplete kiss."