Snuggled next to him, Amelia twitched and groaned in her sleep. Despite being riddled with exhaustion, her body had refused to shut off. Like he’d done through the night, he trailed his hand up her bare arm, following the sinuous path of a scar he’d mapped long ago. Her eyelids fluttered, and he could only imagine the anguish plaguing her unconscious mind. Years ago, her surrender to his empty threats would have thrilled him. He would have slowly removed her khaki camisole and matching boxers and smothered the skin he exposed with tender, loving care. Not tonight. Not under those circumstances. Phoenix... She’d always been tough, physically and mentally. For her, it’d been a matter of pride as much of survival. Her strength and resilience had been among the many qualities he admired about her, but her vulnerability had proven to be just as endearing. It appealed to his protective side, his softer side—a side he’d ignored for nearly two decades. For both their sakes, he needed to bring her daughter back, to redeem himself for the mistakes of the past.
