The sound she lets out when Gideon holds her tighter is pathetic, a reedy warble of unconstrained want--even as her pulse speeds up and her stomach lurches, a momentary sense of entrapment encroaching before she can push it away. She focuses on the rasp of Gideon's voice instead, and when she pulls her hair again, it's harder and more purposeful.

"Thought you liked that, Griddle."