ntic. But sometimes, a strange look would cross his face when he saw Chelsea, a flicker of intense emotion that he

pid, foolish

t of the shower. His laptop was open on the desk. A chat notific

g game with the charity case? Do

e. Her bloo

she scrolled up thro

andle. A few sweet words, a sad song, and she melts. Anything to keep h

s happy, I can put up with Dallas for a little longer. It's not

ll a lie. A carefully constructed performance. He wasn't protecting her. He was protecting Chelse

y, her love. He had made her a pawn in

rom the laptop, a choked sob escaping her lips. She h

towel around his waist, a smile on his face.

? What'

hat window, and his face went

he faint, bitter scent of alcohol on his breath. It was

l, reacted instantly. This wasn't a kiss of passion or love. It

and shoved again

off

surprise on his face. He was u

voice dropping to the smooth, coaxing tone he used so well. "Is th

syllable was a lie she could

ctured concern curdling into something ugly when she didn't immediately melt. "Desmond

er skin. The gentle musician was gone, replaced by a man w

said, her voice flat and col

. "I'm the one who was here for you! I'm the one w

re about Desmond. His ego couldn't concei

ng!" he snarled, his

toward the bed. The force of it

er down. He ripped at the collar of her dress, the simple blue fabric

with a desperate, hungry lo

emanded, his voice a low growl. "I'm here. I'm

hed over her. She struggled, pushing a

said, her voice firm

fuel his rage. He was drunk

ing down on hers again, a flurry of wet, aggressi

s words a broken, slurred c

he company... he gets her. She's so pe

heek. He wasn't talking to her. The "she" in hi

ion. This drunken, violent display. He was on her, but in his mind, he was wit

to ice. It was a violation so pro

hand up and slapped him across the face. The

side. The wildness in his eyes flic

king with rage and a terrible, soul-deep sor

and for the first time, he seemed to truly see her. He saw the torn dress,

ing horror cro

e stammered, scrambling off her.

ut she flinched away

his voice cracking. "Pl

s now, an automatic scrip

presence was now a chilling poison. She was shivering, but her mind was str

e stated, her voice steady.

oo quickly. "Just nonsense.

good actor, but she knew the script now. She knew

, moving tow

begged, grabbing he

n washing over her. She was so tired of this house, o