Norah's gaze dropped, a shy protest on her lips. “That's no excuse.”

Recalling the heat of Sean's passionate breath from the previous night, Norah instinctively attempted to withdraw her hand, seeking to extricate herself from the intensity of the moment.

“It doesn't matter," he insisted, his gaze unwavering as his handsome face drew nearer. “None of that matters, Norah. I genuinely want to know your answer."