Nathan kept his word.

Two nights later the house was quiet again. Chloe’s mother had gone to bed early with a headache. The hallway was dark. Chloe lay awake in the guest room, body already restless, when the door opened.

Nathan stepped inside and locked it.

He didn’t speak. He walked to the bed, pulled the covers down, and looked at her for a long second — bare legs, thin t-shirt, the soft heavy shape of her breasts underneath. Then he pulled the shirt over her head and tossed it aside. Her breasts settled full and bare in the dim light. He made a rough sound in his throat.

“I’ve...