ck on the wall. Conrad stared at the silver needle quivering sl

s heavy as lead. She pulled up the leg of her scrubs. A shard of glass was embedded

said. It wasn't a quest

g in her leg. "I told you. I want m

, for the first time. "That trick is usefu

on the nightstand began to buzz again.

flashed on

d like a man standing on the edge of a cliff. He

ling," Jeanine said soft

toward her. "Were you

ibs. This was insane. This was suicide. But she thought of Jenni

ore she could regret them. "Your family is pressuring you

llowing his arrogance to return in full force. "Are you suggesting you p

bore into her. "I have... I have severe social anxiety. I s-s-stutter when

s were three sizes too big, hiding her figure. Her hair was shoved int

n who got lost in a laundry chute. Bringing you home

eached up and pulled off the surgical cap. Golden blonde hair c

ey in the sunlight. Her bone structure, usually hidden by

fraction of a second

he stutter betraying her as she faced

e words. A strange look crossed his

mediately started ringing again. T

phone, then at Jeanin

abbed her arm, and

y against his chest. His arm clamped around her waist like a steel band, pinning her t

he green

ing pearls and a look of stern disapproval. "Why are you ignoring

rad said. His voice changed instantly. It b

d the frame. She was pressed against his bare chest,

ne," Conrad said smoothly.

ad's fingers dig into her wa

corners of her

d. Her eyes widened. "Oh my heave

a," Conrad lied effortl

hands together. "Oh, Conrad! Finally! So

was a fake sound, but effective. "Yes, she is. We're

!" the grandmother shouted

ropped t

antly, pushing her away

, wiping his ha

ing her scrubs. Her heart was racing

ack to glacial coldness. "You'll sign a Non-Disclosure Agreemen

bbed her ba

ng for air. She could still feel the heat of his skin wher