Chapter270: No Shifting

*Ella* Ryatt goes totally still.  “I’ve never–I’ve never done this–”  He pulls away, and I feel like someone has just dumped a bucket of ice water over my head. I snap my legs shut, a furious blush crashing over my skin like a tidal wave. Even my hair stands on end as a deep, cutting embarrassment shreds me apart.  I look at him only once. His eyes are dark now, his expression made of cold stone.  “I’m sorry,” I breathe, and his eyes snap to mine.  “Don’t be. This was my fault. I lost control.” “No, it was mine–” The door in the front of the cottage opens and several male voices drift our way. I suck in a surprised breath, but Ryatt has already turned and left the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind him before anyone can see me in my state of undress.  My heart is thundering in my chest as I quickly cover my thin nightgown with a robe and head to the door, but I stop, my hand curling around the knob, when Ryatt’s voice lifts above the rest of the muffled conversation in the next roo