"Gwen, I have to get it from your back," Lux said. "It's safer that way. This one is too close to your heart."
Before she could say a word, Maddox flipped her around on his lap so she was straddling him.
His thumb caught the tear on her cheek, while the other hand slid up her bare back where the zip suit had been opened. His mouth hovered over hers. He didn't close the distance.
"Maddox, I don't want to hurt your ribs," Guinevere whispered.
"I'm a grown dragon, Guinevere. You aren't going to hurt me."
His fingers brushed a strand of hair from her face, lingering on her cheek.
He knew she was tough. That was the problem. Her pain tolerance was working against her here. Normal people would have passed out by now, but she couldn't. And they couldn't give her anything.
His hand slid into her hair, fingers working slow circles against her scalp. Her forehead fell into the crook of his neck, and he felt her muscles slowly relax into him.
Lux waited for his eyes. He gave them.
