It was a three-quarter-profile study in which she leaned one pale shoulder against what appeared to be a solid brick wall.

Bettina wore a black dress that left her pale shoulders bare.

Ianira laughed, tossing thick, black hair across one pale shoulder.

The boy, too, was at her shoulder, pale but showing a brave front.

His hands cupped Leto's pale shoulders as he leaned over him.

What he would not give to be able to hold her close, to slip that blue robe from her pale shoulders.

The V-neck of the boy's shirt had slipped down, exposing one pale shoulder.

He eased his hand over her pale shoulder, edging aside the wrapper.

But instead of those big pale shoulders bunching to throw the man, Primo's hand went back, and this time he closed his fist.

She gave a movement of pale shoulders that was almost a shrug, but not quite.