Chapter 99

• CORINA
• I wake up in the middle of the night. The lights are out, even though I specifically remember leaving them on after crashing on the bed. Through the sleep fog, I notice I’m not alone. Lying next to me is a large man breathing quietly. The moonlight streaming in provides enough light for me to make out his features. He looks so calm and unassuming in sleep. There is something about him that makes me want to lean in and plant kisses on his forehead, nose, and cheek. As the fog clears, I remember who he was. He’s the reason I’m in Rio and not back home in my tiny apartment. He’s a monster. I need to remember that the next time I want to kiss him.
• As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I take in the vast room, trying to make out the shapes until I spot a couch on one end. Why didn’t he sleep there? He probably chose the bed just to push my buttons. I glance back at him. He’s still sleeping peacefully. Slowly, I sit up and lift the sheets as delicately as possible. Making sure he can’t hear me, I slide one leg towards the end of the bed until it reaches the floor. I check again and he’s still asleep. Another slight movement and I will be out of the bed. I shift my other leg and out of nowhere, his hand snakes across my waist and pulls me back.