had been hit by a truck. She squinted as the bright morning sunlight streamed throug

her lower back and thighs, making her groan softly. She

d over his face. Without the chaotic energy of the drug, he looked completely unremar

lly inept tech researcher living off institutional grants, someone who spent far more t

he slid out from under the covers, shivering violently

rtender uniform was scattered across the floor. She

fluttered in her chest. She needed to leave before he woke up. She could

tal chain strap slipped and clinked loudly against the edge of a g

no grogginess, no slow blinking. He was instantly alert.

back against the tufted headboard.

emanded. His tone was commanding, fl

ound her right shoe under the edge of the sofa, and sli

er the edge of the bed and picked up his trousers from the fl

d. With an arrogant, dismissive flick of his

. "Purchase whatever you deem necessary as com

lack metal card resting on the white sheets. The sterile, tra

cal l

chest. Her pride, already battered by Ch

er fists clenched so tightly her fing

but her anger completely blinded her to its significance. To

s bare chest. The metal edge hit his collarbo

a class on how to act like a normal human being, or maybe some basic bedroom techniques. Be

fusion mixed with a deeply bruised ego flashed across his face

ve me your phone number. We need to schedule a

ugh escaped her lips. He was completely robotic.

ne said, shaking her head. She turned ar

mpletely naked, his muscles tensing. He walked forwa

isted it violently, and slipped out into the hallway just a fracti

tly in his face. The loud bang echoe

lled her phone out of her pocket. She saw a text message from an unknown number that ha

led clothes, taking deep breaths to force her heart rate down.

lving glass doors, leaving the luxu

g into the morning crowd. She took a deep breath of the