Page 26 of Pretty Cruel Love

“Can you just answer the question?”

“No.” I glance at the board. “Pretend like I’m not here.”

Her eyes burn with anger, and she turns away from me.

I slide my knight across the board and feel her shifting in a way that’s too subtle to explain.

Then I see why…

Out of the corner of my eye, I see her untying the towel and letting it fall to the floor.

She steps back and sits on the edge of the tub, daring me to take a look.

“What the hell are you doing?” I growl, turning to face her.

“Pretending like you’re not here.” She shrugs. “It’s quite nice, actually. No questions, no judgments…”

“Put your fucking towel back on.” My blood boils at the thought of anyone else seeing her like this. “There are cameras, remember?”

“I thought you said they weren’t in the bathroom.”

“They’re not. But I’m not going to ask you to put that damn towel on again.”

“Good. It’ll be nice not to have to follow an order for a change.”

Without thinking, I move forward and shut the bathroom’s half door behind me.

I glance down at the towel on the floor, then at her strawberry-kissed nipples and freshly shaved pussy that glistens slightly in the light.

“I’d prefer if no one on my staff ever saw you like this,” I say, my voice tight.

“No one… or no one except you?”

“The latter,” I admit, and her cheeks bloom red.

She sucks in a breath before stooping down to retrieve the towel. Then she swiftly wraps it back around herself.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice is a whisper. “Will you just tell me if I should hope for a new trial regardless of whether the parole board sets me free… or just stop thinking about it all?”

Silence.

I step back in view of the cameras.

“I’ll see you in the morning for our next session, Miss Pretty,” I say. “Your homework and medication for tonight are in the kitchen.”

I leave her standing there and staring, her question still hanging—unanswered.

10

SADIE

Day Seven

My palms are slick, and my fingers won’t stop trembling in anticipation of today’s milestone.

It’s been three full nights and that means it’s finally time for these heavy cuffs to come off, and I’m counting down the minutes. I’m dying for a long, hot shower without the feel of cold steel hugging my wrists.

I want to sleep on my side with ease again. I want to scrub my skin without bruising my wrists. I want to feel likea person.

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