Deirdre was bewildered. His kiss came in so strongly, passionately, and hungrily that it felt like he had swallowed the air around and between them. All she could smell was pheromones—his. They were all over her, and yet… she did not necessarily hate it.

His fingers were usually cold, but they were set alight the moment they grazed her skin. Flames spread across her body.

“M-Mm…” She let out a moan.

Brendan stiffened for a moment. Then suddenly, he amplified his strength, putting so much force into his arms as if hoping to merge the woman into himself.

Suddenly, the young woman curled into a ball and hissed.

Alarmed, Brendan let go. His features were overcome with worry. “What happened?”

Deirdre’s face turned pale. She was still curling into herself.

Brendan looked and found stark bruises on her back. Anger pooled in his eyes, and as he reached out to touch it, his fingers were nothing but featherlight. “Does it hurt?”

Deirdre let the worst pass for a moment and shook her he