Catherine
I heard him coming down the hallway. My ears had already tuned in to his particular stride, just as my nose detected his scent long before he arrived at my door and knocked softly. The mark on my shoulder thrummed at his nearness like it was calling out for his touch.
Setting my phone down with slow and careful deliberation, I felt something else stirring up within me. He was growing impatient with my delay and started knocking again, harder this time. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stalked toward the door. I yanked it open so suddenly that Ellis almost stumbled inside.
I watched as he caught himself on the frame, and then straightened and smoothed his shirt like a peacock preening his feathers. But instead of colorful feathers, he was sporting an assortment of
