n't quite capture. His thumb traced slowly from Carol's cheek down to her earlobe, v

a flicker of fear s

e, and she bit he

eavy. The space was small, and the leftover

y the thin layer of sweat on her face with cold fingers

she was goin

is throat carrying that dangerous edge. "You know," he murmured, "you look really damn

d just put her through. Her red-rimmed eyes, her expression-it was

r chest as she looked up at Edw

" he said

soft, almost a whisper. "It

ne arm, eyes gleaming with mischief. "A misunders

dn't even been thinki

on her bare shoulder, slow and deliberate. "I don't mean rig

er fast enough. He pinched her waist, not hard, bu

motion, suspended for a seco

nt even pal

, chuckling softly. "You said it yourself. So if o

silence hit harder than any threat. Caro

The way he lounged lazily, all ease and charm, o

as barely standing. Edward cleaned he

verything, and beads of water slowly ran down the

e of his neck and past his sharply defined Adam's apple.No one knew how long he'd been standing there until he suddenly tore those photos apart and f

still swirling in the air, before Edwa

pillow, slightly damp. From above, Edward stared down at her - her brows were gently furrowed like her sleep w

re than normal, her bre

el her forehead. The moment his ha

ing

phone and called, "Nathaniel

ead between the lines with ease and wasted no ti

sional vibe. Though technically employed by the Dawson fami

Edward said tersel

the bed. Edward stood by her side, lean and tall, with just a loosel

"Seriously, Edward? Maybe a shirt next time?" The implication hung heavy

st and defined abs, towel barely hanging on - and smir

emperature. "She's at 102

ense activity, the

d. "Get an IV going.

ta talk. Can you stop dragging me out here for every random fever? I'm a docto

unconcerned. "What, you

nt worked a li

to start the IV. Just as he held the needle over he

n, you sure you know what you're doing?

bbed the wrong spot. "Of co

with a steadier grip, when Edward spok

ently thinking, "Now you decide to feel guilty? If

Mary Anderson to t

ay through, eyes hazy as she looked around. No

ed. She felt groggy all ove

ter. "Miss Bright, you've got a fever.

aside, her voice a litt

rom Mr. Carter that... Mr.

eliable. Seeing Carol's expression fall, Mary quickly adde

t until it wrinkled beneath her fingers. "What urgent matter could he possibly have there

not to say more. This wasn't

inally came home. Carol hadn't slept at all. As

h perfume hit instantly - no doubt he

lanket, and her lashes trembled

you're

r out, she didn't both

ut Carol instinctively turned away. Ed

wer was sharp

ned his tie, voice flat. "You're sick. Res

either. Stay

them. Maybe it was the fever, or maybe just

ht off guard for a second. Then he gave a snort of laughter,

d was about to climb into

limpse of the ca

r, then still walked

t he was saying, but the hallway light lit

I need to deal with

d something bitter. "What is i

didn't

're still going? But you just s