Phantom POV

Waiting until the lights go down to kiss Bella Swan? Jesus, what a great idea. And Alice planned a million things without light, which made my chances much easier. The Disco in the Dark seemed the perfect shot, so I waited for the music to start with sweating hands and shaking knees.

Bass trembled the walls as the room dimmed. The glow-in-the-dark band around her ankle called me like a homing beacon. No one else had one. Finding her was easy.

I slipped through the crowd of writhing bodies, praying she wouldn't choose a partner before I could claim her. My eyes remained trained on the floor, watching her glowing band as I approached. She was alone.

I smoothed a trembling hand over her hip and the other around the back of her neck. She allowed the closeness, leaned into my touch, and danced to the beat in the dark. I wanted to whisper my name, let her know who was about to steal her breath, but I didn't. My courage fled.

With barely a shred of bravery left, I tugged at the silky strands of her hair and covered her mouth with mine.

Just one moment. One moment was all I had, but it was enough. Bella Swan owned me.

And then she screamed again.