ng it with practiced care. The crowd parted before them, a sea of silk and

d murmur, laced with a faint, breathy weakness.

in the silent room. Kylie Vaughan's face went white. The women w

"Grandmother. I hope you'll excuse us. The excitement i

ng between Holt and Elise. "Of cour

lise replied,

and, with pale skin and perfectly manicured nails. "If you

t covered in a black leather glove, pressing against he

the wheelchair and placed her hands on the handles. As she did, she let th

anite. It tensed for a fraction of a second at her touch-a reflexive

m out. They entered a long, private corridor, the thick carpet

l?" Elise asked, her voice cold and dire

ughs. "It is my duty as your husband," Holt replied

ed flatly. "The trust provides for h

stretch of polished marble. It was a small,

aw her

el just off the edge of the carpet. The rubber tire caught on th

her voice devoid o

her hands aimed directly for his neck, her fingers spread as if to catch herself. It was a test. A direct,

readth from his th

ick man. It was the explosive

up like a striking snake. His fingers closed around her wrist with

was so powerful it arrested all her forward moment

s tangling, and fell

d to be wasted and frail, was hard and unyielding. She could feel the heat of him throu

e eyes were dark, dangerous, and utterly alive. They pinned her, stri

n grip. She tried to pull away, but it

, she laid two fingers against the side of his neck, right over the carot

as taking

ump. Thu

fectly healthy athlete at rest. Not the faint, t

essure of her finger

s receded, replaced by a wide-eyed, convincing look of alarm. He re

breathless. He let his head fall against her shoulde

ng up so quickly she almost stumbled

. Red finger marks were alre

air, the picture of frailty, one han

r mind evaporated. It was all