ice's

w them back at me, his eyes burning with rage. "Yo

etly, shooting them one final g

ith mockery. "Goodbye, Alice. Don't come crawling back

I didn't look back. I had long made up my m

ly as soon as I step

r to return to Thomas's house. I was never going to

planned to spend the night in, I stepped o

t... the exact kind of seren

treating me like I was a special guest. I did

l take you to your room,"

d her, my heart poun

nd of the hallway, with bold lett

roz

stake. I couldn't afford

and smiled. "Don't worry, Mrs. B

n care of? By who? And h

key card into my hand. "This unloc

icking down the hallway, leaving me the

in my hand, her words ringing i

I shook it off and slid the card into the slot anyway. The d

e center of the ceiling, lighting

strange mix of relief and excitement. This was a moment

up, walked towards it, and poured myself a glass of

burst open with a lo

heavily in my chest. Two men in blac

my arms. My struggles to break fre

ed as one of the men clamped

ce!" he hissed, venom

out when a sharp, deafening sound thundered t

rs, my head dropping low as g

urned. I opened my eyes, m

e two men sprawled on the floor... lif

... he was tall, dressed in a brown suit, his hair falling mes

ldn't place him. My legs wobbled be

ing me steady in his arms. His eyes studied

est," he said

r. I tugged him back until his body pressed against

y and raw against his skin. "I

surprise crossing his face. "A

name on his lips

n, it didn't matter. Nothing else mattered except

halfway, and his mouth claimed mine in a kiss that stole my br

is hands cupping my breasts, his thumbs brushing o

lips as I kissed him back,

nd my throat... just enough press

his head, his eyes locked onto

ipped my dress off my body,

urves, sending a jolt of elect

.. but the moment his mouth closed over my