hue of late afternoon. Bella's legs had gone past numbness into a prickly

itched. The deep, rh

ad been absentmindedly strokin

from her lap. He blinked, his eyes focusing on th

onfusion. Then, cold, har

until his back hit the side of the bed. He looked at Bel

e rasped. His voice

ed back onto the ottoman, wincing as blood rushed back

temples. No headache. The ringing in his ears-the constant, high-pitched scree

This time, he didn't see a

e a predator stalking prey. Bella pressed herself again

ck," she

face in the crook of her neck, right where she

shed her skin. It was invasiv

he muttered.

him. His grip was firm but not crushing. His

lla stammered. "My grandfa

ed fascinated by the texture of her skin, or

re?" he asked.

said. "It blocks

a dinner cart. He stopped, seeing Ado

hope coloring his voi

kled pants, instantly regaining his towering, imperious a

t leave," A

ir

e turned his back on Bella, walking toward the ba

d. "What? No! That

oked over his shoulder. A ghost of a smil

u're not collateral anymore, Mis

staring at the closed door, realizing with a sinking d