r hands gripped the leather strap of h

e a breath. The air in th

tely stopped," she said. Her voice cracked, ec

o swirl his drink. H

me is cheap, Claris

er fear briefly turning into defensive anger.

ned. The temperature

down on the side table. The l

suck all the oxygen out of the room. He w

k. Her bare heel hit the metal track o

se she could feel the heat radiating off his chest. T

ong, strong fingers c

forcing her to look d

close, she noticed something sh

right eye, there was a

m Dwayne's shattered lowball glass must have gr

king, she raised her hand. Her fingers

t, Giovanny's hand shot out.

el vise. Clarissa let o

ight flickere

g with malice as he referenced the scratch, "

out of her, replaced instantly by a heavy, s

ked down at her, his expression tu

you will take responsibility

oors. "That is sick!" she snapped, her voice shaking with humiliation and d

s lips brushed against

his voice a dark, husky rumble. "As punishment for being late

rned. The blood ru

ce shaking with humilia

amusement vanished from his face, l

ture tomorrow morning to extend th

t stopped. Her

er body gave a violent tremble.

welled in her eyes, but she clamped her jaw sh

turned around and started walking down th

of the hall. He turn

ered. "My pati

She took a ragged breath,

floor. She peeled off her coa

orced herself to walk down the hallwa

rs of the master bedroom. The scent

bed and headed straight for the frost

, sterile lights of the bathroom hit

e, her stomach ch