ilding was lined with overflowing trash cans

to a halt, double-parkin

of a yellow taxi. She was

saw Grayson burst out

niverse today. His tie was crooked. His

tance between them

His fingers dug into her flesh th

houted. "What were you

on of milk burst on the pavement, wh

" she said. He

ing for broken bones, for signs of the water. When he realized

s lips. "You wanted to ruin the launch? Is that it? You

She felt a profound

," she said. "I was throwing awa

until I say we're done. You signed a contract. You owe t

is grip. He pu

hissed. "You're my

head. He trie

s of ownership. He wanted to mark her. He w

rs, hard and bruising. He

a wave o

how he used to kiss her like she was

as vio

this time. She d

t her knee

nnected solidly with his hip. It was e

wait. She sw

ac

k. The sound was sharp, like a p

ce. He looked at her with wide, shocke

ing in short bursts, "is the term

thing dangerous. He took a step fo

ey

. She was holding a pink canister of pepper spr

reamed. "I swear to G

d. A teenager pulled out a

er spray. He saw the milk pooling arou

s head in a split second. Assault

et. He smoothed his hair

for her. "Without me, you're nothing. You'll be starving in a week.

ach. He got in and slammed the door.

k. Her hand was stinging.

as shaking from the adre

and wrapped her

red into her hair. "You di

empty street wher

," she

own at the s

," Anna said. "I