eped. Before Audrey could even push the door

ith that," Doris cooed, reaching o

frozen on the welcome mat, completely ignored by the staff she paid. The

nto the marble catch-all tray. The loud, sharp clatter echoed through

sofa cushions!" she gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. "Th

ace was now ruined by the jarring, bright orange pillows scattered across the cou

g porcelain bowl on a silver tray. "I simmered this

ter, no cup of tea, absolutely nothing prepared for Audrey. The wor

shoved it under the refrigerator's ice dispenser. The crushed ice rattled loudly into the glass. She re

orway, wringing her hands. "Audrey, I'm so sorry. I real

apology made the bile r

numbed her tongue. She lowered the glass and stared de

ke smile froze, her facial muscles twitching

elevator doors slid open in the foyer. Dozier had arr

with unshed tears. She turned

nating the space. His eyes locked onto Blake immediatel

hesitant, like a frightened deer. The vuln

in okay?" he asked, his voice low. He reached out and

t like a long needle piercing st

Her bare feet slapped against the hardwood floor, intentionally loud.

ed instantly, replaced by a wall of glacial ice. The

. Doris brought out the first course. It was a class

as lobster bisque. Her throat tightened in a phantom allergic reaction. Doris

vy silver spoon, her k

to cut Blake's filet mignon into bite-sized pieces. The blatant favo

rcelain scraped harshly against the wood

leave the su

ce cracked like a whip. "Stop thro

nto her shoulders. A hot spark of

r at the bowl. "That is lobster bisque. I am deathly allergic to s

undeniable. The dining room plunged

s stammered, her face draining of color as she forcefully played the fool to cover h

Doris, who was trembling by the wall. A flicker of guilt crossed his face, b

Dozier, please don't be mad at Doris. It's

using her tears to extinguish

culous. She didn't say another word. She turned her back on them an

. She collapsed face-first onto the massive bed. A crushing weight of exhaustion

of night, a metallic clic

open. Her heart hamm

g sound of a metal key sliding into the lock scraped through the sile

t of expensive scotch rolled off him. His massive shoulders block

e mattress, pulling the heavy d

ould have done. It triggered the primal need

a step tow

s padded down the carpeted hallway. The steps

opped moving. Blake was