The moment the words left his mouth, the butterflies in her stomach erupted and before she could stop herself, she was reaching for him, resting her hand gently against his cheek.

His hands froze, and his eyes slipped closed as he leaned into her touch.

She was afraid to breathe. Afraid of breaking the spell as she took in his features. Committing his rare soft expression to memory as she ghosted her fingertips over the slight stubble and slowly up to his temple; lightly brushing the scar on his eyebrow with the pad of her thumb.

Her heart was racing and she could hear his shallow breaths quickening through his parted lips. Biting her lip, she slid her hand back down his face to his jawline and when her thumb grazed across his bottom lip, his eyes opened. The dark eyes staring into hers as he reached up and covered her hand with his.

He turned his head slowly, closing his eyes again and pressing his lips against the base of her palm. Then he tilted his head slightly, gently kissing the pulse point of her wrist.

Sam closed her eyes as his soft lips lingered, her stomach tightening as she released a fragile breath. When she felt his tongue against her skin, her eyes fluttered open immediately, and she watched as he licked a stripe over that spot for a quick taste, before replacing it with his lips again for another languid kiss. Sam couldn't help the soft moan in the back of her throat as the liquid warmth pooled in her center.

The sound had his eyes opening, and looking glazed over as he turned his head back to face her; his hand remaining over hers on his cheek as he massaged it absentmindedly.

It was the second her gaze flicked down to his lips, that the trance was broken. The moment lost forever.

His eyes cleared like a slow lifting fog as he looked down between them sheepishly. And she could see the internal battle waging inside of him. His facial expression morphing from one emotion to the next as he became painfully aware of what he'd just done. He was reprimanding himself. She could tell by tiny shake of his head, and then knew for sure when she heard the whispered word under his breath. "Shit."

He lowered their hands down to her side before letting go and returned back to wrapping her hand.

There was a sudden ache in her chest as she forced herself to look away, feeling frustrated and vulnerable. Damn, she was so close to kissing him, she could almost taste him. Her eyes squeezed shut, suddenly wanting him to just hurry up and leave so she could be alone and recover from the loss of a kiss they never shared.

As he secured the gauze with some tape, his voice was soft as he cleared his throat. "I should go."

She nodded and quickly turned away towards the door, already feeling the tears forming as she willed herself to move forward.

The next moment she gasped as she felt his strong arms envelope her from behind, stopping her. One of his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, and the other around her shoulders as he pressed his chest flush to her back. She closed her eyes, her heart pounding as she melted into him.

He bent his head next to her ear, his voice rough and desperate. "Forgive me Sam."

She couldn't remember the last time he called her Sam. It felt warm and intimate as she wrapped her hands around his forearm, resting her chin on it. She didn't want to answer, didn't want him to let her go as he nestled his mouth against her neck; his uneven breath warming her skin. She felt his lips barely touching the spot below her ear and held her breath, knowing if he started kissing her there, she wouldn't be able to hold back any longer.

"If I have to spend the rest of my life making it up to you I will." He breathed as he tightened his embrace. "Just please tell me there's a chance you could trust me again." She felt his fast heartbeat thud against her back and she dipped her head down, letting her lips rest against his flexed arm. How long had she waited to feel him this close?

She let out a shuddering breath, realizing she never felt so safe. His hold on her was sensual in a way she had never known. It made her feel desired, cherished and… Her eyes opened as it dawned on her.

Oh God, she loved him.

She loved him and had almost made the biggest mistake of her life by marrying someone else.

Her throat clenched at the thought, and she felt herself nod her response.

Just as she feared, his arms loosened from around her and dropped away. The sudden loss made her heart seize painfully as she stepped out of the bathroom and into her bedroom, feeling painfully sober, empty and alone. What now? Stopping at the side of her bed, she tried to take a deep breath and felt a lump in her throat get in the way. In love with a man she couldn't have...forbidden fruit. Everything in her wanted to do something to escape; move, run, ride. But the sadness was overwhelming, and she couldn't find the strength to do anything but cover her face and sob.

She didn't hear him coming. Only felt him turn her around and pull her into his arms.