Chapter 37 Thirty-seven

• Carmen
• I closed my eyes, allowing my mind to fall into a lull. Everything seemed to be a blur, my heart racing and the sound thudding into my ears. I didn't hear the fact he'd unfastened me, hadn't registered that I'd been released until he took my hand into his, rubbing my palm with his thumb in circular patterns.
• "I'm very proud of you," he said ever so softly, turning me over. "It's all right to look at me, Carmen. There will be no more pain tonight."