Chapter 23

Hailey’s POV

"What happening babe?" Anna asked worriedly.

With a dizzy giggle, I drained the last swallows of my bottled water and shook my head slowly. "Oh Anna, I admire your optimism sweetie. But the next few months with Miles are going to be nothing short of ritualistic soul-flaying."

I leaned in conspiratorially, "That maniac won't rest until I'm laying every last ravaged fiber of my raw, shuddering essence onto the alter of his sadistic ambitions. You'll be lucky if there's enough left over to fill a thimble when he's through with me!"

My voice had dipped to a heady, almost sensual purr by now - equal parts exhilaration and trepidation thrilling my senses anew at the prospect of whatever crucibles awaited.

Something animalistic flickered in Anna's heavy-lidded eyes as she traced a fingertip along the swell of my cleavage.

"If that's true... then you'd best enjoy THIS while it lasts. No sense holding anything back before that