Erik took a step toward her. "It's not your fault. I shouldn't have let you go alone in the dark."

"You didn't know I would stupidly walk out onto thin ice." She shook her head. "I wanted to help. I wanted to be useful. I can't stand feeling so bloody useless."

"You're not useless. You're an amazing woman. Anders is a fool for letting you go."

She stared at him, her eyes filling with tears. "Thank you."

He opened his arms and she stepped into them, wrapping her arms around his waist, clinging to him. He held her tightly, inhaling the sweet, clean scent of her, never wanting to let her go.

"Don't cry. Everything's all right now."

"I know I'm being stupid. Tears don't solve anything," she said against his chest. "But I was so cold, and so scared. I thought I was going to die."

He tightened his hold and kissed her hair. "Don't think about it any more. You're safe now."

He heard her sigh, felt her relax against him. "Yes. I'm safe."

She lifted her head to look into his face, her dark eyes shiny with tears, her lips slightly parted, and Erik stared at her mouth, wanting desperately to kiss her, to capture her sweetness. He slowly lowered his mouth to hers. To his surprise, she didn't run off or turn away in revulsion. He was so close her breath mingled with his, her breathing shallow and erratic. His heart slammed against his chest, his body thrumming with need. For the first time in over three years, he felt alive.