ted off three hours prior. Her body ached from the stiffness of the guest bed mattress, a stark reminder of her dis

allway. In the kitchen, the morning light was gray and unforgiving. She started the es

e

Calico cat had ventured out from under the sofa and wa

es popping. Her hands trembled slightly from sheer exhaustion as she fou

s that

Alexa jerked upright, near

ely at the waist. His hair was damp, combed back, but his face was pale. He looked at the cat wi

e hostility, arched

emanded. He stepped into the kitchen, his ba

ping between Fletcher and the cat. "I

lexa, his lip curling. "A stray. Of course. Y

t was about the girl whose parents died in a 'car accident' leav

d, her voice tight. "She

said. He moved closer, towering ov

splattering onto the pristine white cabinetry. The cat scramble

ng through her fear. "You don't get to do

own, his face inches from hers. "You want companionship, Alexa?

yes. The insinuation was crude, a slap in the fac

rned hot. "You'

dismissing her with a turn of his shoulder. He walk

oured the entire contents into the sink

y cup down on the counter with a loud cl

without looking back. "Clean

atter on the floor, at the empty cup. Tears pricked her eyes, hot

ed to the empty room, to the hiding c