He smoothed down her mussed hair. "I’m okay, babe. What happened to you, and why are you dressed like Nix?"

"Jehel tried to make me…" she stopped and buried her face into his chest.

He put his hand under her chin and tenderly tilted her head up so he could look into her beautiful, clear, blue eyes. "Did he force himself on you?" he fought hard to keep the anger out of his voice, lest she think it was directed at her.

When she shook her head, he let out a pent up breath.

"I fought him," she said with a devilish grin. "Ramiel and Cam are always making me keep up on my hand-to-hand battle skills and it paid off."

"I should have been there to protect you." He gently touched her bruised face. "I’m hurt myself, so I can’t even heal you."

"Just kiss me, Appolion. I feel so dirty and unclean and only you can make that go away."

He lightly feathered his lips across hers, being as tender as he could so he would not hurt her any more. Next he moved to her bruised cheek, letting his tongue slip out so it could both caress and taste the satiny smoothness. The swell of her breasts were showing because her dress was cut so low and he could see the vivid marks that Jehel’s fingers had left behind. Appolion wanted to roar with anger, but he held it in because she had seen enough violence today. Instead, he lowered his head and started to run soft kisses along them. She thrust her hands in his hair and arched her body into him.

"Make love to me," she moaned.

He cast a nervous look at the door. "What is it with you and public places, kitten?"

She gave him a wicked, seductive smile. "After so many years of being the good girl, it’s a turn on to be bad."
...