Descent (Black Heart Romance presents Heaven & Hell)

Chapter Twenty Eight
Hallie
He doesn’t give me any panties to wear to bed.
Tonight there’s not even a robe. The one I wore last night is gone, probably taken to the wash, but
I don’t have any of my own things at his penthouse, so I have nothing to replace it.
I lingered in the shower longer than I needed to. Every inch of me is dry now, but I still cling to
the fluffy white bath towel.
I’m just delaying the inevitable.
Outside this bathroom, he waits for me.
I don’t know that for certain, of course. I haven’t opened the door to check, but I know it in my
bones.
Perhaps the safety I feel in this locked bathroom is artificial; it’s his home, I suppose he
probably has a key if he really wanted to get in.
He doesn’t have to come and get me, though. I’m prey caught in his trap. He knows I have
nowhere to run.
In every regard.
Shaking off thoughts I don’t have time to process right now, I finally decide to stop stalling. I
comb my fingers through the damp strands of my honey-toned hair one last time and turn toward the
door, my bath towel still wrapped around me.
I can smell the fragrance of the luxury bath wash he bought for me lingering on my skin. It smells
incredible, like a big bouquet of lush flowers. The shampoo and conditioner were the same brand—
something fancy and French with gold calligraphy on the label—so my hair smells just as good.
I would rather climb into his bed smelling like a dirty, sweaty mess so he’d be less inclined to
touch me, but I suppose he already thought of that and that’s why he gave me all the accoutrements I
would need to smell amazing.
I bite back the urge to grumble about falling right into his trap, but deep down, I know it
wouldn’t matter if I smelled lovely or not. If he wanted me, he’d take me either way.
And the man clearly wants me.
He’s gone to frankly psychotic lengths to have me. If I weren’t so depressed about it, I might feel
flattered.
It’s not forever.