~ JOHN-PAUL ~ Lark both slipped slowly into the lazy, drowsy sleep of the sated, but JP found himself too stunned to sleep. As Lark’s body relaxed and her breathing slowed and became even, he found himself turning over the memories of the previous hours… the lake, her laughter, his challenge, the shower, his surrender… He didn’t regret it. That was important. He’d thought he would regret it. He’d thought once the fire of having her had been doused that he’d regret it. Instead, he only found his resolve steeled. There was no choice now but to protect her. No point in examining what might have been. She was his to her toes. He knew it like he knew his own name. Which returned his thoughts to her and the complete abandon with which she’d given herself. He shook his head in disbelief.