ire safe-house apartment. Steam filled the

er. She felt scrubbed raw. S

pt

here was nothing left. Just one large

nity. Beatrice had s

t was translucent. It was something a bri

muttered. "She's t

it securely over her chest. She would find h

bathroom door

droom

nto the plush Persian rug. She made a br

r handl

skid to

he phone, his tie undone, the top

sto

he towel. A droplet of water ran

He didn't speak. His eyes traveled do

a step back, tripped on the

of motion. He caught her by th

yielding. He pulled

l slippe

he could feel the heat radiating through his shirt. She could s

nd, nobody

king at her like a nuisance anymore. He was looking at her like a m

ered against her ribs

him away.

p. He regained his composure instan

," he said. "And

demanded, pulling the towel tight

ed to his walk-in closet. He disappeared for a

sed it

lace thing... it'

" Eleonora ca

He walked to the mini-bar and poured himself a drin

n the darkened window as sh

tch. It burned, but not as much a

room doo

shirt. It engulfed her, the hem hitting

. Vulnerable. An

he glass until his k