He had planted a seed of addiction deep inside her, one that would grow every time she closed her eyes.
He moved beside her, shifting his weight on the furs. The predator receded, replaced by a calculated, gentle lover. He reached out, his hand hovering for a moment before descending to brush a wet, tangled lock of dark hair away from her face.
He tucked the strand behind her ear, like a gentle lover, his fingers lingering on her damp cheek. He patted her shoulder gently, a rhythmic, soothing motion, calming the tremors that still rattled her bones.
"Shhh," he whispered, his voice low and hypnotic. "Just breathe."
He continued to stroke her hair and her arm until her breathing hitched and began to slow, until the violent trembling faded into a soft, exhausted shivering.
Seeing her eyes finally flutter open, dazed and silver, finding his face in the darkness, Sol smiled. He lay down beside her, pulling her warmth against his side.
