the hallway

only dress I'd found in the guest room closet. It was simple, black, modest. Probably

e fabric over my hips, and steppe

ily so intentionally. Like it had

by instinct, not guidanc

lass of red wine in his hand, watching the flames cu

late,"

minutes

s you late

chair farthest

you to sit." His voi

as I moved to th

see I was ob

lass of wine, slid i

n't d

ht, yo

h to make him think I would ob

o, the little

me?" I asked, keeping m

his eyes... God, those eyes. They w

our family to

know what

ke one thing clear, Miss Carter. You're not here to be

r w

zor-sharp. "You'

g his steak. Calm. Precise. Like I wasn

in his eyes just for a moment. Like he didn't ex

alized something he neve

hurti

made him