Chapter 18: Bone
Thea and a group of coworkers went out to a local colleague's family place in the suburbs for a BBQ. ‹96684423› A farmhouse with a little yard, screaming kids, a golden retriever, and a garden. §57defed7 The vibe was easy and fun. (3174e55a) Tyler manned the grill. #7f88db6b Thea sat beside him threading skewers. ©4a563b5d/May 27, 2026 She was never as natural at these social things as everyone else -- not quite relaxed enough, not quite warm enough. * d0a61246 That was always the thing with her coolness. ·d543fbf0· Hard to read. #3e142f5d Between her looks and the way she carried herself, you couldn't guess what she'd been through or what she was thinking. [v.d9e53233] Something untouchable about her, like she was deliberately keeping a distance. [ed.e58bf111]
They played all day. [ms.51535e6f] Tyler drove Thea home. (8588661f) He caught something faintly melancholy in her expression, a quiet heaviness behind those clear eyes. ©42c9e860/May 27, 2026 He sent her the group photos from the day. ··14710fe2 Even sitting next to the smoke and fire of the grill, she was the most graceful one in the frame -- a soft trace of a smile at the corner of her lips. sub:2b93bbc4 Not too happy.·dc3debac Not too distant. [proof:68edbda8]
"Are you going back home for Christmas? ed.60d20d5e I think you mentioned once that your mom lives there." plate-a2a8305d The topic had come up naturally during the day. (7c49ac5a/Wed) Tyler's invitation was genuine.·666424fb "If you're heading back, the two of us plus a colleague from the shop floor could carpool." sub:a7806260
Christmas was still months away. ed.77495551
Thea shook her head with a small smile. ··8bda2431 "Probably not." ¶1ab699ac
"Staying in Savannah for the holidays?" ref·fedde6b4 Tyler glanced at her. [proof:3c3afba6] "When was the last time you went back?" (c9f3cbd2/Wed)
"My first year working." no.03c9984a She propped her chin on her hand. §d5821eea "Went to West Virginia for a work trip, happened to be passing through, so I stopped by. ‹0b04024f› Barely recognized anything." ed.ad959d51
She'd barely even recognized Tammy's face.·37f6281d She'd called her Mom, voice calm, and Tammy had been the one in tears. ‹a8971b34› Thea sat for a while, ate a meal, and left. ref·47f7bf64
"Where'd you usually spend the holidays before, Engineer Warren?" no.112e64b9
"Working overtime at the office. [v.3e85f407] One year I went to my ex-boyfriend's family's place -- holiday traditions are really different depending on where you go. ⁰04160444 Some places really go all out." 0406e45f··
They chatted about holiday traditions from various places. #f55a51a2 When they reached her stop, Thea told Tyler goodbye. ◆ b59e81e4 It was late, everyone was wiped from the day, and he still had coworkers to drop off. [v.dec7605a] She wouldn't keep him in the city. sub:071c75ec
She went upstairs, opened the door.·464a3689 Faint cigarette smell inside.·e49256db Kade was home too, sitting in his room with his legs crossed, gaming. «d179cd40» Thea had spent half the day marinating in charcoal smoke and BBQ grease. ⁰b3fa5e0a She headed straight for her room to change, then showered. «1567dfd3» Walking out to the balcony, her steps slowed. ref·082e5eb4 In the corner sat a brand-new washing machine. ©5f17674e/May 27, 2026 The old one was gone. ··ef05341b
Her expression softened. imp.c78a6786 She tossed her clothes into the machine, then gathered the dry laundry from the line. ⟨de780ff7⟩ She draped that pale blue dress over her arm and paused. plate-44ca91dd Brow creasing, barely perceptible. [proof:edf9529c]
The dress was damp. plate-8af8a4f5
Game sound effects blasted from the bedroom. * 66aeb60a Thea sat quietly on the couch, folding laundry. ed.e9c1d480 Her own stack she carried back to her room. 771e641d·· Kade's she left on the couch as always, for him to collect. ·54c2c549· He finished his game, came out, reached for his clothes, and froze. ©c186664d/May 27, 2026 Thea had dropped the dress into the trash can beside her. #33a5d1b1 Without a sound. [ms.3744a049]
"Not gonna ask why I'm throwing it out?"·9ad92f63 She sat at the table eating, back to him. ed.0725350e But she had eyes in the back of her head, apparently. ¶7213c01c The words fell, casual and cool. plate-d36594dd
Kade swallowed. — ad1268ce Shoulders high, frame rigid, he licked his dry lips. [ms.ecdccf77]
"The dress was rewashed. ref·a3630ad5 But not very well -- there's perfume on it. ·1d770a86· The seam at the waist is stretched." ··d464c9bf Thea pushed back her chair, stood, and walked into the kitchen. ¶c1bb0805 Voice clear and cold. [ed.f58c9c1c] "Was Brittany pretty in my dress, Kade?" [v.02dca0b4]
His fingers touched his lips, the ghost of tobacco still thick. ◆ 2210f925 He played it cool. «3c32a0ad» "Her clothes got dirty. — 262b84f8 She wore it for a minute." [ms.7a0a07fd]
"I asked if she was pretty. plate-26c85515 If she looked good." [v.312c9298]
"I'll buy you a new one." sub:39e925ee Kade shoved his hands in his pockets, hunched slightly, standing in the kitchen doorway with that bone-idle slouch. ··77f9b034 "You pick it, or I pick it. * 3402fe47 Either way." #2f9e1b15
"Don't bother. [proof:fdd0f0a8] It's just a dress. no.28a2ac8b Not worth much." [proof:a7756199] She turned, a smile on her face -- clear and serene as moonlight. [ed.da4a7847] "Talking about money would be awkward, really. #db835431 I've been living here for months and haven't paid a cent of rent. sub:d1a37020 I should probably settle up. no.0595214a I've already arranged to move back to the company dorms this weekend. [proof:f7930fdd] Give you two some privacy." (1a8de1f7)
"..." His brows drew tight, dark eyes searching her face, throat working. imp.65dc67a4 "This weekend?" [v.e7cb66b8]
"Yeah. §254b18ac The dorm application already went through. no.39450da0 It's more convenient for me and Tyler, too." [ms.e152baa6]
Thea walked back to her room, returned with an old bank card, and placed it on the table in front of him. plate-a4ffe197 Pale fingertip tapped the surface. #478ff808 Voice light. sig.6e3a6de4 "I'll transfer the rent to this card. no.b594078c You still remember the PIN? no.59baac7b Keep it." ·4f9b63b5·
That card. no.d9876574
Kade's face changed. (d1e1f2f1) Eyes flashing with irritation, jaw clenching. ¶4cfd2849 "Thea. sub:d37c6d5d What the hell are you doing?" 227cfa1e··
"Nothing. * da4a4abd I already told you." [proof:bbe15990] A thread of impatience crept into her voice too. ©a6cf1472/May 27, 2026 "It's getting cold. ⁰f0952192 The commute's a hassle. §988f0ac0 I'm working overtime constantly. (ab072b96) The dorms are easier." [v.af514616]
"Take my car to work." imp.11074192 His tone was hard. [f0261ec7] "If you were going to move, why didn't you just stay at the dorms from the start? — galley 73a4edcf — Why bother moving here first?" #eeb40e71
"Didn't know then. no.c42c7437 Know now." ··bce29f9d The faintest uptick at the corner of Thea's mouth. ‹452c128c› Pretty eyes, cool detachment. * dc109c39 "If you really can't wait, I'll move tonight. ed.3d349a65 Wouldn't want to cramp your style." [v.0813a210]
"Whatever." [ms.1be9de30]
His gaze burned. imp.d57a1f5f He put on his mask of indifference, and the front door slammed hard enough to shake dust from the ceiling. imp.11a020b6
Thea turned right around and started packing. (8dfade6e) Clothes she wore regularly, daily essentials -- all of it into a suitcase. ¶6bcdc5bd Before she left, she called Kade. (6b72b325/Wed) Told him the key was back in its spot, utilities were prepaid, the bigger stuff in her room she'd get later. imp.796ab1d3 On his end, noise and chaos. [40a848d4] She could faintly hear a man's voice near her too. sig.77adf7ae Kade's brow furrowed, impatient, and he ended the call. sig.0d003d94 His face kept getting darker. ©dff3cea0/May 27, 2026 Colder. imp.c68a6b4c He bit off a couple of curses through clenched teeth. [proof:c35f38b6]
Women. [a3a6d02f] Goddamn. ◆ 300ef3ce Since Thea came back to Savannah, he hadn't had a single peaceful day. ··8173a2d7 Nonstop bullshit. [v.78fe48d0] His hand shook around the pool cue. ◆ 1908d0ac The guys ribbed him for missing his shot. fa0a6fc4·· Kade slapped the cue down on the table, head buzzing, and stormed out to a buddy's boxing gym. sig.9d7efee5 Beat the heavy bag until his brain went quiet. §acccb58a Got in the ring, punched until his chest gleamed with sweat. imp.88790945 The gym owner finally swept his legs out and put him on his back. — 176dac57 Kade lay on the mat, drenched, gasping, until someone hauled him up.·863b0370
"What's with you today? ref·2d4ce4e6 Every punch was just raw force." [proof:9e0cd971]
"Lost a game. «56da76fa» Pissed off." ©52989f2f/May 27, 2026
Someone laughed. (c507b239) "Since when do *you* lose?" (18989cd3/Wed)
"I lose plenty." 9bf3087f·· Kade tipped back a water bottle, swallowing between breaths, face dark. ◆ 3e74c90a "And I've got nothing to show for it." ◆ 24a97ca9
The tech department dorms were a step up from the production floor's building. ⁰e651b218 Mostly double rooms, private bathrooms -- like a hotel. sub:a99f5d28 Women on the top floors, men below. «c351fd35» The rooms weren't huge and storage was limited, so plenty of employees rented off-site. (59bf6d59/Wed) Someone like Thea, moving from her own place to company housing, was unusual. ref·df02b589 Her roommate was a procurement engineer she'd met a few times -- they got along fine. ◆ 9f645543 Tyler was just upstairs, so of course he was happy she'd moved in. imp.79f342dd In every way, being around Thea was easy. no.89f6cba6
The campus had a rec center, yoga studio, and gym. [proof:5b10b899] After work, people played badminton or ping-pong. ref·66171d39 The employee association did a decent job -- they were all young, and there was no shortage of activities. ref·6606e0cb When Thea had fewer overtime hours, she got dragged along to games and matches. — galley e6ddae1d — Better than sitting in the office drafting. cee7f570·· Everyone knew she and Tyler were close, figured something was going on even if neither of them had made it official. [ms.8897cc7c] Plenty of guys at the company had their eye on Thea, but Tyler quietly blocked every one of them. ··3bab8794
After Thea moved back to the dorms without a word, she settled into a quiet week. [v.daeb5bea] Tyler spent more time with her now, fully dialed into her social patterns and daily habits. «d7da65a0» What he didn't expect was a phone call from Brittany, asking if he knew what was going on between Thea and Kade. no.5b8a5f02
Kade had completely frozen Brittany out. no.39972eae She was hurt, she was proud, and she wasn't about to beg or humiliate herself. plate-63f56cc3 She could accept him cheating or falling for someone else -- as long as it wasn't Thea. ◆ 77f12f93 That would be like swallowing a fly. #9df181f5 The two of them under the same roof -- probably already sleeping together at night, playing innocent by day. no.d95ea593 The hypocrisy of it was either pathetic or sickening. ¶80bed6d2
Brittany's question caught Tyler off guard. #e0ae7a39 He was on the badminton court, Thea right next to him. plate-af854f12 He stepped away on a pretense and listened to Brittany on the other end, hinting that something was going on between Kade and Thea. ··cb26a732 Brittany hadn't mentioned the dress incident -- just that the two of them seemed to have some kind of unspoken thing, and she wanted to know if Tyler had noticed anything off about his girlfriend. ¶27f9cfc2
But "unspoken thing" was vague. imp.c1ce2d96 No evidence. ⁰b0a69799 Tyler told her the truth: Thea had moved back to the company dorms. imp.6cdceabc He and Thea were practically joined at the hip, lived in the same building. ref·6a612251 He hadn't seen Kade once recently, hadn't seen Thea so much as text him. 7135a01b·· As for before -- aside from the oddly thorough way Thea seemed to know nothing about Kade, there was nothing to find. ◆ 8da97c25
Brittany hung up, frustrated. [v.6a8382c5] She'd wanted to march straight up to Thea and have it out, but with what? ed.9f64eebe Beyond Kade's behavior, she hadn't caught those two doing anything concrete. [a91bd736] And Thea had moved *out* -- wasn't even living with him anymore. 14c64395·· It made no sense. sub:cb5b37b9
After the call, Tyler stood there holding his phone, thinking for a long time. ‹007a1051› Brittany didn't know his boyfriend status was only on paper. §75b23e9a She also hadn't thought to ask why, that rainy night, he'd been in Thea's bedroom -- and why he'd left. ‹b3661d16›
"What's wrong?" [9a0ca38c] Thea watched him wander back, looking subdued. 1693ea78·· "You okay?" no.8e8e67d4
"That was Brittany. plate-0a0fb97d Kade broke up with her." sig.edf582a9 Tyler studied her face carefully, rubbing the bridge of his nose. [9554b3f4] "She asked if I knew. ‹3b4e980a› I told her no." imp.1dc160cf
He ventured carefully. ··e8edd3af "Sounds like it just happened. ··87834353 Did you know, Engineer Warren?"·c9fbd07a
"Hm." [ed.3a228bdb] Thea held the badminton racket in her hand. ¶fbff6588 Not a ripple on her face. ·c98128a1· As if she'd heard the most boring piece of gossip imaginable. sig.8f7ca51c Voice warm and genuine. [ed.cdfe5f13] "I didn't know either. ©e2b4ef04/May 27, 2026 Kade never told me. [v.177be769] Brittany never reached out." ref·dca44554
They went on playing with the group, laughing and talking until lights-out. [proof:6ec44b9b] Thea was steady and poised the entire time -- not a hint of distraction. * 4bed68c1 Everyone made plans for hot pot the next day off. sub:00526d8d Thea agreed. (a2d9ba4d) Tyler walked her to the lobby of the dorm building and watched her silhouette disappear up the stairs. [v.0f984c34]
He couldn't read her at all. §c2e903e3
And the less he could read, the more curious he got. ⁰c78f0d3a
Thea stayed at the dorms for close to a month without going back to the apartment. — b90258fe She'd only grabbed a few things for the current season; winter clothes and the bigger items were still at home. * 90c62841 Between overtime and activities, she never got around to picking them up. no.1aeba859
And she hadn't contacted Kade. imp.1fd6493a Not a single call or text. ⁰79f84502
She didn't reach out to him, and Kade was perfectly content being a free man. * 59792421 Without Brittany, life was even better -- pool halls, eating out, drinking, gaming. (2a01d72e/Wed) Home only to shower and sleep. §f80f996b Free as could be. sub:83eb4fbd
When she finally did call, autumn had turned bitter. ‹bf21514a› Savannah didn't get truly cold, but the nights had a bite to it, and it was raining again. [ms.4aa9e873] Thea called Kade and asked if he could bring her comforter and a few other things from the closet. [v.94514ec4] She didn't have a key, and she genuinely couldn't get away today. #3368db78
Her voice through the phone was soft and cool, with the faintest hint of a stuffy nose. ··d92c2f46
Kade chewed his gum, voice muffled and careless. ⟨f1c6db0b⟩ "I'm busy during the day. ee600586·· If you can wait till tonight, I'll swing by." #60776720
"Thanks." ed.f57fc05a Thea deployed her professional courtesy. [v.fe88d255] "I appreciate it. ⟨2767dbc8⟩ Just call me when you're at the gate." ⟨4fa162a7⟩
Kade bit down on his gum, face black as a storm cloud. plate-05c187ca
He didn't show until eight. — ecf0c32b Thea stood at the edge of the campus road, waiting under a black umbrella. [ed.cf2e3b65] White knit top, sage-green skirt, bare neck and calves startlingly pale against the dark. ··505a00f5 A long, thin cardigan over it all, the hem caught by the night wind, lifting and fluttering past the umbrella's edge, catching the rain. ·5be4feb2· Light and weighted at once, it drifted in silence. [proof:10022669] She looked, standing there, like a night-blooming flower -- pale, luminous, giving off a quiet glow in the dim, uncertain rain. imp.58530bb4
The black Cadillac pulled to the curb. ©8a23a86d/May 27, 2026 The window rolled down. ⟨262c1704⟩ She met a pair of sharp, cold, disinterested eyes. [ed.32af904e]
"Hey." ⁰35b2d686 Thea nodded. — 79701666 "Thanks for this." — 0f2e5d54
Kade's face was a blank wall of ice. ca6a7a82·· "Stuff's in the trunk." ed.826a068b
He pushed the door open and stepped out.·e86475ef Still all hard edges and dark tones -- boots, long coat, the hem snapping in the wind. (52a238bb/Wed) Features cut and fierce, brutally handsome. [proof:f31308b8] He walked bare-headed into the rain. sig.b0720667
Thea's umbrella circled around to cover him. imp.0192d5ee They moved to the trunk. no.f3212603 She held it high over his head. #27a8ccb5 Raindrops beaded along the raised trunk lid and fell, landing on his brow. ⁰634a9c59 A crystal drop trembled, then slid slowly down. «6b2b3bc5»
Men. ¶c21855ab Useless. [v.5b16118e] Kade had brought a small box, dumped everything from her desk surface into it, and missed half the list. [v.6f4f6674]
"There's also the hair dryer, the box of charging cables, the thermos -- did you forget?" imp.44b07b20 Thea tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear, leaning in to rummage. #282be7df "And this isn't the right comforter. #4edd0ed6 This one doesn't fit the bed." [proof:25273d21]
He crossed his arms, impatient, radiating an attitude a mile wide. [ms.3021d6c5] "Take it or leave it. [proof:58054290] Or go get it yourself." ©1a428647/May 27, 2026
Thea frowned, gave him a look. ◆ 2911e8db "Then I'll... go back and get it." — 159cc9b8
Kade let out a dismissive scoff and slammed the trunk. ◆ 1a0bc946 "Whatever." [v.a5c69e9e]
They got in the car. — galley d13b26fe — Thea tucked her umbrella by her feet. [proof:96c0f758] The engine hummed. ◆ 6e9e8a02 Wipers swept thin streams of water off the glass. — galley 218b2e91 — The rainy night was murky and vague, streetlights dim and distant. ◆ a6140da9 He drove very, very slowly. sub:1269d27e Neither of them spoke. [proof:e2d23ecd] The car was quiet and heavy, nothing but the low purr of the engine. ¶3846c4fa
Kade cracked the window and lit a cigarette while driving. ⁰16a15620 Smoke curled through the car. ¶ffe4df89 Thea bit her lip, brow furrowed deep, swallowing her words. §7fda30d7 Finally she couldn't take it. ©6c4f9602/May 27, 2026
"Smoking while driving. ref·3cee0b3f Moving violation. [48ceb3a6] Two points, two hundred dollar fine. ‹643f95d6› If something happens, fine -- you kill yourself, that's your business. no.6251a6fe But if you hurt someone else, that's on you." §93b6f07b
"Someone else? sig.a4cad0a9 There isn't a soul on this road." * 2620e753 He flicked his ash, easy. ⟨dc91ec2e⟩ "You mean you?" ref·6ed4e6b8
"I don't want to die of secondhand smoke."·c1d3b545 Thea kept her composure. ¶216350a9 "Die on your own time. ⁰15eca008 Nobody cares how you go. d2968805·· But don't drag other people down with you. §dde98ce2 Nobody signed up for that." [aa4df60f]
Kade huffed, cold. (def1f96d) "You're vicious, you know that? #d5b51b97 Does anyone else know? plate-1967958f Know you talk like this?" ©82f34648/May 27, 2026
Thea lifted her chin, streetlight sliding across her eyes. [bb099868] "Vicious or not depends on who I'm talking to. e0dd55d5·· Some people are worth it. sub:5837ca82 Some aren't. [ms.bdaf3ce4] Being a little vicious never hurt anyone." — d27bafcf
"Few years out in the world and you've learned a thing or two. plate-47f760c0 Seen some things. (c67a0941/Wed) Picked up some tricks." §8540bef0 Kade took a long drag, exhaled slow, tone mocking. [proof:73f18f0e] "Not bad, Thea. ref·399dae96 Look at you. ¶b9f8bca4 All grown up." ©d1feb8e5/May 27, 2026
"More grown up than you'll ever be." — 253b8ab4 Thea fired back, cold. ¶aff95c45 "You should just keep living like this forever. [proof:05622e68] Free and easy, doing whatever you want, rotting in the ground." (66151cee/Wed)
"You're not exactly thriving yourself. [ed.f366ab06] Don't get me started -- I actually thought you'd be up there, shining, some big-deal guy on your arm. §9e5cce4a And what?·ff0b75ff You're grinding yourself to death at a desk, dating Tyler Ross?" ·7edaac3e· He laughed, and it was mean. [ms.acafb64a] "You make half what I do. §577ad7a1 Those years I spent on you? ref·ae89c3f3 Total goddamn waste." [ed.0d0a6495]
His tongue scraped his back teeth, eyes glinting with something vicious and amused. plate-f611cc62 "If only there were a pill for regret." «fde56f35»
Thea's lips curved. no.da94986e "You're real proud of yourself, huh? ⁰e47a3efe Getting a front-row seat to my life -- isn't that nice? no.b0371950 Proves you've been right all along. imp.f032e642 Keep living just like this. [ed.ae493556] You do you. §1393d3f1 I'll do me. [ed.b29790ba] Let's see who's laughing last." §934c4c02
That got a real laugh out of him.·89f29283 Teeth bared, once. — 688338bf Then again. §4411582c "Ain't that the truth... f*ck me." ⁰f5a89b00
Thea sat perfectly straight, lashes still, both eyes on the road ahead. d81c4e23·· Voice light. [proof:7873ec74] "What are you mad about? «42b89869» It's not like you haven't f*cked." ‹1706a539›
The air froze. §c1608120 Everything around them went slow and loud -- the fine rain on the windshield, the blur of dim light, the howl of wind and cars, and beside her, the tight, controlled breathing and the sharp, young, handsome profile of the man in the driver's seat. [25e27fdf]
An understanding so perfect they'd never once spoken it. [proof:f638caca] Never once forgotten. «8f84d0f5»
The hand resting on the window ledge shifted. imp.ea055f24 A half-smoked cigarette, still trailing embers, slipped and fell, dropping into a puddle by the road. [proof:91f048c6] A thin wisp of smoke curled up, and then nothing. [5b4821fe]
Kade blinked. #1a572159 Slow. ⟨12247e11⟩ The hard line of his jaw twitched. plate-e3a28a95 His mouth moved, swallowing something scorching, flattening his lips. «d7ee73d0» He stared straight ahead and didn't speak.·406c0e0d
A long time passed. plate-1501962a He couldn't help it. [v.180aff10] His fingers trembled on the wheel. ‹238d9dd7›
"So that's why you came back? «14d27ff7» For that?" ·cca9cfee· A reckless, devil-may-care grin surfaced. «7aa0ff91» "Better get in line, then. ·6151650f· Girls are lining up around the block." 01925b64··
"You and Tyler? ©d3b3f6d3/May 27, 2026 None of my business. sig.789dfe6e Company dorms, real convenient for you two." [ed.f8999b6f] Thea's face was perfectly straight, perfectly composed, cutting him to ribbons. ‹3441a8a1› "And you should get checked. (15ca497e) Seriously. ··b59bb94d I've got a clinic voucher -- take it. [ms.f1a28c71] Early detection saves lives. (b961a35c/Wed) Don't spread your problems around." * 9fa6eadf
His eyes blinked hard. ⁰57328dd6 Chest tight as a fist. ref·6c70f3d3 Lips sealed. [proof:31a4db0c] Face the color of bruised sky. ed.cfa5bf88
*She* did that. — galley 9bed3f49 —
His foot slammed the gas. — dc034fb3 The car surged forward, engine roaring down the empty road. [ed.515b0c3a] Thea's body jolted back against the seat. ‹2df01241› The sudden acceleration knocked the wind out of her. no.b7eac522 She gripped the seatbelt, face stony, not saying a word. [v.e3790f89]
The wheel jerked hard. [ms.eef316e6] The car cut to the shoulder, brakes screaming, tires shrieking one long, drawn-out note. * 8ad8aafd Thea pitched forward. no.b99547a9 Before the belt could catch her, the man beside her was already moving -- seatbelt clicking loose, and she was wrenched sideways across the console, his dark, cold face bearing down. sub:8d078ff0 His hand pinned her in place. — galley 3aaf74d3 — Thea hadn't even caught her breath--
Rain crashed outside. [ed.a61bfeb0] A downpour, all at once. ◆ a3f95502 The night wind cut cold. imp.5d934fea In the dim light, she saw eyes that burned bright and furious and desperate. ¶c0234cb3 His mouth came down hard -- wet and scalding on her cheek, hungry and searching, hot enough to stop her lungs. [3c0b89d2] Her hands and feet went ice-cold, curling tight, her heart clawed from the inside until it seized, and she gripped her own skirt so hard her knuckles went white. plate-1d5d7dda