IRE

uldn't fight it. I turned and

came up. Just painful, wrenching dry he

looking down at me. His voice was laced with im

le, my lips bloodless.

est, his ice-blue eyes filled with suspicion and scrutiny

y chest. I pushed myself up, using the t

r on my face, trying to clear my head. The wo

e was still standing there

inst the sink to steady myse

he said. "That you won't

is a bastard who pays off his girlfriends with a che

to sting him. Hi

d over me. I bent over, my han

hed through my mind. My

areful. I pushed the thought away, t

as he watched me. "W

his eyes. "I told you, it

ut of the bathroom. He grabbed my

!" I st

ouldn't break free. He pulled me

le you'll regret, Claire," he sai

so close to mine. I pu

stumbling back a step to put distance between

ng seconds, as if trying to

urned and lef

room, probably calling his assistant to

old wall, my legs weak

gain. This time, I knew

gging my knees. My empt

embling as I counted the days. My heart began to pound