nst her ribs. She could feel the feverish heat of his breath, h

said, her voice shaking but fir

And you're the cure my grandfather prescribed." He leaned closer, his voice dropping

is grandfather, at the entire situation. His eyes searched hers, and for a moment, there was something almo

ave known?" He shook his head, his grip on her wrists ti

s this the plan all along? Get pregnant and you get the

r began to curdle into a cold, hard knot of anger. She s

hing kiss that tasted of bitterness and rage. It wasn't a kiss of passion; it was an act of poss

of public slights and private indifference, all culminated in this violation. A primal instinct for survival

bling in his chest, and scooped her into his arms. Before she could react, he strode t

ody pinning her, his hands fumbli

was the point of no return. In a surge of pure, desperate

body convulsing. The pressure on her van

nly chance s

locking on the only potential weapon in sight: the heavy, ornate brass table lamp. She ripped the cord fro

hissed, her voice trembling wi

the drug's haze, granting him a sliver of clarity. He looked at her-her dress torn, her face streaked w

ally, truly,

spilling over. "Why are you always like this? Two years ago,

ore effective than a bucket of ice water. The last vestiges of th

ion had already been made. The assault was over. The physical threat had passed. But the room was still thick wit