The one where she discovers her feelings

~ Bella ~

I swallowed heavily. "Nikolai, you--you can't say things like that."

He sighed. "I know but it's the truth."

I raised my eyes to his. "Please, don't say things like that to me. Don't toy with me like that."

"I am not toying with you, Bells. I mean every word I'm saying," he said quietly.

I could see something in his eyes like maybe...maybe he meant every word.

Initially, I'd always just thought he was flirting with me because it was his habit.

But now, now I wasn't so sure. But I didn't dare examine his motives.

If I found that he really meant it. If I found that he had feelings for me... I couldn't trust myself.

I wasn't sure what I would do so I did the only thing I could do.

I turned my face away from him. "So how do we tackle this case?" I asked.

He was silent for a few seconds. I could feel his eyes on me but I kept my face firmly turned away.

After a few seconds, he spoke. "We should do some investigating. Find out why the writers are doing this in the first place," h