idiculous-larger than her first apartment, all white marble and brushed gold fixtures. She loc

the stench of the

g it pool on the floor like a discarded skin. Steam filled the room, fogging the glass enclosu

heat was supposed to relax her, but her muscles remained coiled ti

he first ring. "Add

y audible over the rush of water. "I'm leaving. I p

shouldn't spend another second under that roof. Y

, Arely. I just... I can't believe thi

y. "He's the one throwing away a woman like you

said, gripping the phone tighter. "I swear

ped mid-

om door but unmistakable. The heavy, electronic click of th

out and turned off the water, the

e crackled from the p

hardwood floor of the living room. The crunch of

na whispered, he

ly asked, panic lacing her tone. "

, shuddering breath. "No. This

. Water dripped from her hair, running in cold ri

oom door. Then, she heard the creak of the floorboards in the clos

he bathroom door. They stopped, inch

e thick, white bath sheet hanging on the wall. She grabbed it, wrapping it tightly around her body, tucking

loor, staring at the door handle. She could

harp, auth

oid of any warmth or concern. It

he wasn't going to hide in the bathroom like a scared child. Sh

ingers wrapping around the cold, brass handle. She p

ent twist, she ya

but his jacket was gone, and his tie was loosened at his throat. His dark hair was

hysical force wasn't his ex

l, musky scent she hadn't smelled in two years, but one she could never forget. It was the sam

d up from his chest into his dark,