Even though it had only been

such a short time, she wondered if she’d ever experience a love like this again. Could she leave Kostya after this? Would she always wonder what the fates would have written for them? It was an impossible situation. There was no life for her here. No life, except for Kostya.

He ran his finger along her jaw, lifted her chin, and brushed his lips against her forehead and eyelids. “I can never forget this.” He kissed her lips, slowly and softly at first, but rising in intensity. Her heart pulsed, and she could feel her body flushing as Kostya pulled back slightly, pressing forehead to forehead, still breathing her air.

“Stay,” she whispered. Neither one of them moved, frozen in each other’s touch.

“I don’t expect…”

“Stay,” Meredith said again, this time more insistent. “I want you to. I want this to last as long as it can. I want to share the night with you.”

Kostya’s breath became harder and he gazed into Meredith’s golden eyes. “Yes.”