ss of water. His knuc

Aileen with eyes full of defensi

tiny, hesitant

tting more distance between them like a f

wave of physical pain through Aileen's

intending to soften he

le's red alarm flashed across her vision,

he swallowed the gentle words, tastin

ow. She twisted her lips in

and swiped it through

the side of the heav

l fingers. It hit the thick Per

plashed out violently, soaking the

in his eyes was instantly swallowe

ou even hold a glass of water properly?" she snapped, he

in turned white, then red. His eyes were shining

k his tears almost broke Aileen's resolve

way from his face. She stare

ordered, her tone f

rd. He dropped to his

ve of his cotton pajama shirt down over his hand

up a mess, doing it with the practiced efficiency of a child who had

successful. Warning

re for another second. Sh

he study and slammed t

s gave out. She slid down the solid

h, pressing hard against her lips to

ding her breath, l

soft, shuffling footsteps of J

face with the back of her hand, the movement rough and

aft hit her face. She was done playing by the syst

rd the attached en-suite bathroom. She needed cold