"...I wasn't avoiding you," she denied subconsciously.
His palm rested on her stomach, rubbing it gently in a soothing motion. "Does your stomach still hurt?"
"Much better. It doesn't hurt anymore."
"What did you do all day?"
"Nothing much." She tried to make her voice sound relaxed, even adding a hint of grogginess as if she'd just woken up. "I just lazed around at home all afternoon."
"Is that so," he replied, his tone flat and unreadable.
And yet, his simple reply made Annelise Valentine's throat go dry.
'Does he know? Or does he not? Did Hugo Summers really tell him?'
Before she could sort out her thoughts, the arm around her waist suddenly tightened.
The world spun as he easily flipped her onto her back.
In the dim light, he loomed over her, his shadow completely enveloping her.
"Look at me," he said, his voice low and heavy with pressure. "Were you really at home all day?"
