Effie had barely opened the door when Lyman spun around and pulled her inside.


    With a sharp bang, Lyman pressed her against the door, mming it shut behind them.


    Startled, Effie froze. In the dim light of the foyer, she saw Lyman''s intense gaze fixed on her, his dark eyes swirling like twin vortices, drawing her in.


    Maybe the alcohol was to me, but there was a hazy, dreamlike quality in his eyes tonight, something softer than his usual sharpness. The shadows softened the angles of his face, making him look almost gentle.


    Effie''s breath caught in her throat. She stared up at him, forgetting to breathe at all. Her eyes-deep, luminous, almost shimmering-were impossible to look away from.


    Lyman reached out, his hand cupping the back of her head, gently pulling her closer.


    She tumbled into his arms, feeling the heat of his body even through the thin barrier of fabric between them.


    His other hand tilted her chin up-and then he stole her breath and her words with a kiss.


    Effie let out a soft, involuntary gasp. "Mmm..."


    Her whisper was as light as a feather, brushing over Lyman''s nerves and making his eyes darken further. He closed his eyes, deepening the kiss, hungry and desperate as if he''d been starved for her.


    He was a wolf, ravenous and wild, devouring her every response until she was left dizzy in his arms.


    ...


    The next morning, when Effie arrived at work, she wore a silk scarf wrapped carefully around her neck.


    This time, it wasn''t just for style-it was to cover the marks she definitely didn''t want anyone seeing.


    Not that Nelly would dare say anything now, even if she noticed.


    At lunch, Nita asked Effie to join her.


    Effie agreed readily.


    Nita, who worked in sales, was always out meeting clients; she only reached out because she happened to be near The Etheridge Group today.


    "Effie, over here!" Nita waved from across the street.


    Effie spotted her and hurried over, grinning.


    "Today''s on me," Nita announced. "I''m in a terrible mood, so I''m treating you to sushi."


    Effie''s eyes widened. Nita was usually the thrifty type; every penny she saved after living expenses went home to her family. This was unprecedented.


    Effie reached out and yfully touched Nita''s arm. "What''s going on? Is hell freezing over?"


    Nita shot her a look. "Come on, don''t joke. I''m really not in the mood."


    Effie could see she meant it-Nita''s smile was nowhere to be found.


    Effie relented, cheeks flushing. "Alright, alright. If you''re that down, let me treat you instead. Whatever you want, it''s on me."


    But Nita shook her head stubbornly. "No way. I said I''m treating you, and that''s that."


    Effie figured something must have happened to really upset her friend, so she decided not to push and just be there to listen.


    They headed to a new sushi ce nearby, only to find a line stretching out the door and down the block.


    "Why is it so crowded?" Nita frowned.


    Effie nced at her watch. "You have to get back to work soon. Maybe we should pick somewhere else?"


    But Nita was adamant. “No, I want sushi today."


    Effie shrugged and fell in line beside her, resigned to her fate and determined to keep Nitapany no matter what.


    Suddenly, a visibly pregnant woman walked up to the entrance and asked, "Excuse me, is there a priority line for expectant mothers?"


    The hostess nced at the slight swell of her belly and shook her head apologetically. "I''m sorry, ma''am. Since we serve mostly raw dishes-like salmon and tuna sashimi-we generally don''t rmend them for pregnant women."