Ben stiffened as the anger from his past washed over him. He was still looking at Velori while the rush of anger seethed, and he walked toward her bed. Her eyes were closed as she lay asleep in the hospital room. Pale green blankets were still tucked under her arms.
As he reached her bedside, his anger morphed unwillingly, and instead, he saw how beautiful her lashes were as they rested above her cheeks. He was dazzled at how the light brown highlights of her hair caught the light and seemed to shimmer at him. He lusted to touch her breasts, caress her cheeks, and feel her lips on his. He was overwhelmed as the effects of his punishment ran through him. Never able to act on his anger, only ever to crave. He'd gotten used to its effects by now, but for some reason, he was irritated more than he'd been by them in a long time.
Anne burst through the door and rushed to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder when she got there. "Everything okay, Ben?"
