“Welcome to the palace.” Rik leaned closer to speak quietly into Mel’s ear.

“Thank you. That is…” Mel’s breath caught in her throat as she became suddenly very aware of his closeness. She’d laid her head on his shoulder, had slept the hours of the flight away inhaling the scent of his cologne. On some level of consciousness Mel knew the pace of his breathing, knew how it felt to have him sleep with his ear tucked against the top of her head. The feel of the cloth of his suit coat against her arm…his body warmth reaching her through the fabric.

For a moment consciousness and subconscious memory, nearness and scent, and whatever else it was that had made her aware of him even initially, through a fog of medication, filled Mel. She forgot the vital need to explain to him that he’d made a mistake and she had, too. She forgot everything but his nearness and the uneven beat of her heart.