he almost fell completely, her face just inches from the hard pavement. The world tilted sideways as gravit

muscles screaming from the sudden effort. Her heart beat fast like a trapped bird, adrenaline r

ed sound, like Beverly saving herself fr

gnity hung by the thinnest thread, but she refused to let it break completely. She didn't look back at ei

d the sharp sound of

cross the parking lot with fake disgust. "You neve

without turning around - Faye dramatically cleaning the car door handle, the seat

d, making sure her voice was loud enough for Beverly to hear. "It's probably genetic

r palms, but she kept walking. One foot in front of the other.

refusing to let them see her break. The familiar sound of the entrance bell felt

around her like protection, drowning out the poison still echoing in her ears. Here, surrounded by people doing honest work who didn't k

ay smell. Beverly changed into her uniform quickly, her fingers working the buttons automatically from doing it so many times. The simple black dress and white

ready moving toward Diro like a magnet. The leather seat creaked as she position

ers found the buttons of his shirt. She pressed herself against him, molding her body to h

as she worked her way up to his ear, her teeth grazing the sensitive spot b

her hand sliding down his chest slowly. "The thought of sharing you with that m

e. The afternoon sun through the windshield caught the highlights in her hair, m

t demanding. "I'm so tired of hiding while she walks around pretend

lied, his voice strained as her h

"When am I getting that expensive car you promised me three months ag

sessive, as her voice dropped to a

en you're deep inside me, riding me like

illed the car. She smiled against his neck, satisfied with his reaction

ntrolled as her touch threatened to undo him complet

ly what she wanted. She pulled him into a kiss that was all teeth and tongue and des

m had worked its magic, turning her from a broken victim into a capable professional. She moved th

e breaking through storm clouds. Her friend appeared at her side wit

from different angles. "Seriously, you could be a model. Those cheekbones, those eyes - you're wasted waiting tab

ip was one of the few bright spots in her dark world, a reminder that not everyone saw her as bro

e big window that faced the parking lot - a habit she'd developed over months of working here

e barely had time to press her hand to her mouth. The world tilted, her vision

ay, like she was speaking through water. "Beverly,

ndow. When she saw what had made Beverly turn green, her face twist

rabbing Beverly's arm gently but firmly. "We're

as her body continued to shake with disgust. "I'm used to

e back exit, her protective instincts in ful

aid angrily, her eyes blazing. "No wo

but full of meaning that made Beverly's heart pou