Biting the inside of her cheeks, Belle willed herself not to move from the spot, even though she wanted to do just that as he walked towards her like a predator would to a wary prey. She wanted to run to her chamber and lock the door so she would never have to face him.
When he stood in front of her, close enough that she could scent his erotic, spicy scent, she held her breath and shut her eyes. Perhaps this was where she would die. She wouldn't even live long enough to betray Nightbrook for Aragonia, or go back to Jamie and give him back his ring. She didn't even get to retrieve the ring!
Belle felt his hand move and saw the shadows through her closed lids. She saw herself being strangled to death or even ripped apart like the guards who had escorted them in her childhood when they were traveling and got attacked by rogue vampires. She imagined all sorts of things, but none of what she imagined came close to what he did.
