Chapter 24

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           Christianstandsinasteel-barredcage.Wearinghissoft,rippedjeans,hischestandfeetaremouthwateringlynaked,andhe’sstaringatme.Hisprivate-jokesmileisetchedonhisbeautifulfaceandhiseyesamoltengray.Inhishandsheholdsabowlofstrawberries.Heambleswithathleticgracetothefrontofthecage,gazingintentlyatme.Holdingupaplumpripestrawberry,heextendshishandthroughthebars.

           “Eat,”hesays,histonguecaressingthefrontofhispalateasheenunciatesthet.

           Itrytomovetowardhim,butI’mtethered,heldbackbysomeunseenforcearoundmywrist,holdingme.Letmego.

           “Come,eat,”hesays,smilinghisdeliciouscrookedsmile.

           Ipullandpull…letmego!Iwanttoscreamandshout,butnosoundemerges.Iammute.Hestretchesalittlefarther,andthestrawberryisatmylips.

           “Eat,Anastasia.”Hismouthformsmyname,lingeringsensuallyoneachsyllable.

           Iopenmymouthandbite,thecagedisappears,andmyhandsarefree.Ireachuptotouchhim,grazemyfingersthroughhischesthair.

           “Anastasia.”

           No.Imoan.

           “Comeon,baby.”

           No.Iwanttotouchyou.

           “Wakeup.”

           No.Please.Myeyesflickerunwillinglyopenforasplitsecond.I’minbedandsomeoneisnuzzlingmyear.

           “Wakeup,baby,”hewhispers,andtheeffectofhissweetvoicespreadslikewarmmeltedcaramelthroughmyveins.

           It’sChristian.Jeez,it’sstilldark,andtheimagesofhimfrommydreampersist,disconcertingandtantalizinginmyhead.

           “Oh…no,”Igroan.Iwantbackathischest,backtomydream.