No String

'S

iff with shock. The weight of his words sank in. Damon h

aro

ally just

ach twisting into tight knots. I had expected Damon to say something hea

h, sharp and humorl

cult conversation-not the outrageous proposal it was. "I need you, Ava. J

me to sleep with you while you're marrie

s voice low. "It's not eve

me," I repeated my words slowly, trying to wrap my head aro

y, watching me carefully.

I snapped, my

, Adrianna and I haven't been... a real couple

re actually justifying this? You're one crazy as

this sounds bad, but think about it. You're not just my wife's sister. There'

you've been toying with me since I moved in. Playing these little mind games and making me

n. "I'm not man

ctly what y

udied me in silence. Then, his n

worth your while?"

ze. "

ike he was negotiating a business deal. "I know you're trying to f

re at him, my th

sure you don't have to struggle. You wouldn't have to

se of the offer but because of how easily he s

. "I can't believe you," I whispered

sed into a thin l

s were begining to go out of control. "You think I'm some

think you need stability

ent hot w

y head. "You're disgusting, D

g almost... expectant about the way he looked at me. Like he

ion only mad

y heel, ready

could react, he was in front o

the movement before his lips w

hot thr

ed him

ck a step, surpri

ouch me," I spat

es growing darker. But I didn't wait for

ed and

hallway as my vision blurr

bath

fore he could follow. My breath came out ragged. My

minally sick. But that didn't justify

ng had he planned to corner me, to dangle his mo

eyes, but I bli

ry and I wasn't goi

~

woke up with one g

t that he wouldn't. I needed to focus on something else. Something that di

ian

ss trip." And after what I'd overheard,

as ch

ut I knew it. I could

t I did best-observing, think

. different. Nervous. And that call? She had sp

neede

lling through my phone, searching fo

th

ce of where she had gone. No

chewing my

ating, she was

to confront her? Should I be direct?

all was from an unknown number. I

this Ava

said ca

We reviewed your application, and we'

eath

terview?

voice breathless. "W

you the details via email. L

to thank her befo

oment, staring at my phone. Then,

esh start, and a chance to leave this house; a chance

n weeks, I felt some