the massive guest bed, staring at the ceili

her appetite at dinner. She had barely eaten half he

her backpack, unzipped the front pocket, and pull

t. If she dropped a single red crumb in here, it w

down the dark hallway. She assumed

s. She gripped the top of the chip bag and pulled. The plastic tore open wi

ips, and stuffed them into her mouth. The spicy, artificial crun

he corner floor lamp flared to life, ca

shadows. He wore a black silk bathrobe. A crystal glass of am

pounding her chest, nearly

stood up and walked slowly toward the kitchen. T

ked out the light. He looked down at her fingers, whi

ched the bag of Cheetos

protested, re

authority in his gaze made her freez

el trash can, stepped on the pedal,

is a fast track to destroying your stomac

p. "I was just a

igerator and pulled out a loaf of whole wheat b

fficient movements, he assembled a sandwich and pressed th

strange, confusing feeling. He didn't act like a husband. He acted exact

ut it diagonally, and slid the plate across the marble is

"Get that red dye off your sk

crubbed her hands with soap, and dried them on a towel.

tretched, warm and savory. It

is chest. He watched her eat every single bite. He did not l

A thick ring of white milk

a fraction of a second, his eyes darkened. Then, he blinked, reache

ur face,

scrubbed her mouth, her face flu

o flee back

at night, tell me. I will prepare something proper for you. Eating those chemical-la

a defeated nod and scurried down the h