"I do feel it," Saffron replied softly, her damp eyes lifted to meet his, her jaw clenching briefly as she fought to ignore the pounding in her head. "I feel it every day, I feel it whenever I see you. I reckon I just didn't understand it fully until now." This was what she'd been avoiding for so many years. This was what she'd thought she had so many years ago, what she'd shut out so completely and for so long she'd forgotten what it was like. This was so far past the point of no return, that point couldn't even be seen. And all she could do was cling with all her might to the present, to the love of her life lying there holding her in his arms, and try not to think that one day all the cynicism and bitterness locked away in her heart would surface again, proven right once more.

It just couldn't happen. Not this time. She wouldn't let it.