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PTE

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'S

I kidding? Of course, he wouldn't be. Maverick has this... sixth

screaming for air-freedom. I made it down the stairs without a creak, heart pounding like a dr

snapped, grabbing my shoulder. It stung like

me lightly to the wall. "Where

lady?" I said, trying to defuse the tensi

e repeated-this time slower, laced

mered. Bad move. Mave could always tell when I was lyi

he glanced at his watch-"2 a.m. in the mid-mor

stic comeback I had

elephant," he added.

el his breath on my skin, warm and steady. I

un off," I muttered,

me to the wall again. His face was now just centimet

anywhere but his mouth. "Staying up all night like it's ma

And second, I do have somniphob

go," I replied, reaching to tickle

laugh and finally ba

chuckles. "Fear of sleeping alone-or

." I roll

itching to his bossy voice-the o

ward my room. I really needed to sneak out.

step-classic me-and slipped. My body flailed mid-air

g arms caught

steps," Mave

and pulled away

om and collapsed ont

l tra

use is

freedom. No life of my own. What the he

aring at the ceiling until s

-

rise. I needed rest aft

searching for Mave-the star actor in last n

was already beating down like it had s

o weeks he's just... disapp

ate

behind. Bei

solid meals-breakfast and brunch, than

m, over and ov

ks in, he's getting

oise at the front

ed to

here

ed in

re than a breath. His hands trembled as he rushed to t

do you mean?

ar crept in like ice

door bu

n. Gun

-burned into my memory like fire. And

n the

e way. I staggered back, despera

from beneath the table. I w

sho

uffled.

nished. My vi

ain-but this time, there

... J

hoed faintly

th

th

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