As it did frequently these days, her stomach tightened in his presence. It wasn’t an unpleasant sensation. On the contrary, it was a feeling of anticipation. Anticipation of hearing his voice, feeling the warmth of his body, sharing her thoughts with him and enjoying the singular scent of him—musk, wood smoke, and man. It absolutely frightened her to death. She’d already had a powerful desire to be with Anatol and now she felt the same connection to Gregorio. It was an emotional dependence she didn’t want but was powerless to stop from evolving. Every time that strange tendril of feeling curled itself around her and became stronger, it made her want to run away. Anatol had known this would happen and he was convinced it was a good thing, what she needed. But she wasn’t so sure Anatol could see the truth in everything. The closer she got to Gregorio and Anatol, the more unease and fear filled her. That couldn’t be what she needed, could it? That couldn’t be that elusive thing called love?
