rward. His large h

oused. The grip was firm, radia

l her hand back after

didn't

was staring down at her, his dark ey

gravelly baritone that vibrated straight down to her toes. T

d back harder. This time, his fingers slid smoothly against he

said, breaking t

he pressed her knees tightly together, folding

single armchair directly next to Anabelle. He was so close she could feel the heat radiating o

son's blatant territorial

unfair treatment out in the hall. Be

le lips, then to the faint red mark on her wrist where Ant

His tone was flat, but the underlying

fine." She refused to show weaknes

. "Such a stubborn girl. Mar

om, pulling the do

uffocating. Anabelle couldn't handle

ding," Anabelle said, forcing her voice to

od up a

uma of nearly drowning, and the sheer exhaustion, betrayed her

yed, her kne

pact of the hardwood

rked sideways, crashing into a wall of solid muscle. Her cheek slammed again

red. His lips were brush

rself. It felt like grabbing solid rock. She tried to push herself uprigh

she stammered, her face

frantic pulse beating at the base of

nger," he com

face. His black eyes were burning with a raw, predat

"Well, it seems my calming tea isn't

panic giving her strength. She stumbled back

pping his hands into his trouser pockets. He watched her sc

elle blurted out. She turned a

"She's a good girl, Derri

his eyes locked on the empty do