h the curtains. The alcohol had done its job-

lled across the m

ay. She had showered and change

able. He was wearing a dark, custom-tailored dress shirt

r heart started a heavy, rhyth

le floor. He didn't look up. He didn't even shif

posite end of the table, putting as much physica

de. He placed a cup of black coffee an

ked up. "T

loded in her brain. Warning! Out

orced the polite smile off her face,

and shoved the bone chin

sloshed over the rim, splashing violently

cup hitting the saucer e

ly lowered h

. They were freezing cold, filled

f her hands under the table. She forced her

d, making sure her voice s

ocking sneer. "What pathetic game a

eat. She kept her chin tilted up,

ack, her tone dripping with condescension. "I've s

the room. The disgust in Archer's eyes deepe

He slammed the newspap

ollar and tossed it onto the coffee-s

covered the distance in seconds. The phy

ck, to run, but she locked her ankles ar

d both hands on the back of her chair and

r throw another tantrum in front of my son," he whispered, his voice dro

ugh to taste copper. She tilted her head up

ine months," she spa

that held absolutely no humor. He push

nished from his face, replaced by a dark, calculating frown. He couldn't figure out what new angle she was playing, but he made a mental note t

ar down the hallway. The moment he wa

palms were covered in sweat, and four deep

white tablecloth. A heavy wave

ightened her spine, and look

er cup." she o