seum gallery. His parents, William and Catherine Stanley, we

pride that was clearly for his father's benefit. William's face turned a dangerou

from the wrong side of the tracks, all while her se

er app

to drive his point home. In front of his disapproving par

a small gasp

inst her ear, his breath warm. His a

taircase as if she weighed nothing, hi

e and gently deposited her on the king-sized b

. My room is next door. C

hut, leaving her in a silence that was m

her body trembling with delayed shock.

h doors leading to a small, private balcony. One of the doors was slightly ajar, letting in a sliver of the cool night air. She ch

ed to wash the entire day off

the door behind her, but didn't both

, fogging the mirrors. She shed her dress, letting it pool on

ic

tinct, final sound of a lock

d fist of terror clenched i

r, a tall, dark silhouette in the steam.

od

es, bottomless pits of

asped, his voice a gravelly whisper

the slick marble, until her back hit the cold glas

y, a futile gesture of defense. "How...

ntrum on the lawn? That was just for show. A little misdirection to ma

, taking a slow, delib

foot in this house

bathroom seemed to shrink, the walls closing in. His prese

the sound died in her t

rap around her throat. His fingers were cold, his grip not tight enough to choke

nches from hers, his dea

oice a venomous caress. "How d