k away from his t

maintain eye contact with him. She wanted h

combined with the physical trauma of falling

dizziness slamme

ed into two overlapping images. A high-pi

r face in a split second. Her

apsed sideways, falling directly toward th

er act. His lips parted to

ing pallor of her skin and the way

time to process the lo

his large hand wrapping firmly around her wa

r hard again

ad cracked against his collarbone with a dul

was freez

ble wall of ice he had built around

is breath. The panic in his

under her legs, and scooped her u

drop. Instinct took over. She threw both of her a

ce deep into the

over the sensitive sk

's body locked up. His jaw cl

nd threw the double doors open with such force

nated only by the faint orange g

the lights. He walked straight

ut he lowered her onto the

the tension in her face eased. But her ar

er, his hands braced on the matt

He could feel the soft flutter

ed her long eyelashes trem

ice was a harsh, raspy whisper,

didn't

eight, pulling herself sli

she mumbled, her voic

aines like a physical blow to the stomach. His

d reached up. He grabbed her wrists and bega

pped her palm and grabbed a fistful of his s

lfway. Her gaze was un

ave," she

es f

ds pinned him

an," he said coldly, desperate for an excuse

single tear leaked from the corner o

or," she said softly

groan ripped fro

gav

dge of the mattress, sitting with his back t

om, his chest heaving, completely con