"Don't Call Me Sir"

, casting a soft golden glow over the space. Outside, the rain hadn't let up-it beat agains

d for a crisp white shirt-Daniel's shirt. It was clearly too big for her, the sleeves hanging well past her fing

nything but

ass of scotch rested in his hand, the amber liquid catching the low light. He was watching he

" he finally asked, his voice low

.. Maybe a few days. A week. A month. Until I can fi

e placed the glass gently on the coffee table and tapped

nd if he found out you're staying here,"

the edge of the blanket. "I d

l sto

k slacks and light gray shirt emphasized every sharp line of his body-the breadth of his shoulders, the preci

ke a warning, or a dare, "what it means for y

et his eyes. Hers were wide,

on the back of the couch, boxing her in

y house. Wrapped in my blanket. With not a single piece of

eath h

re a lit fuse, Emma. An

. She didn't know if she was afraid-or if it wa

ftly, her voice barely audibl

ve a low, humorless laugh. "Bu

illed his glass, the bottle cli

not leaving her, "the driver will

dded.

being late. No coming home early. And

tightened.

"You live here, but we're not family. We're not friends.

ation rising in her chest. "I didn't

ted, his gaze sharp.

ping from her lips before she c

startled by

l sti

swirling his drink sl

don't h

are you

set the glass down

want to t

ickened in

r pulse pounde

toward the bar, back to her now. "But the second y

y. Her lips parted, but th

he bedroom door, paused, and said, "G

door clic

embling. She closed her eyes, but the

to to

it so calmly

than any love confess

he realized-this wasn

the edge

already step

ing, Emma wok

lap. Daniel was already there-impeccably dressed, every line of his suit razor sharp.

l?" he asked witho

d. "Yes.

table. The driver's

iefcase and left wi

to look away from the bac

. Too distant. Like

emed, the more she found herself w

ays passed in

ing, did her homework, and stayed out of his way. They rarely s

between them was

s ele

k, no sugar. The exact time he read the Financial Times-7:30 p.m., after d

t the night she came home with a fever, he left

plain the contr

dn't d

ew-something was buildi

fifth night, the

when Daniel stepped out of h

brother you'r

skipped. "N

w does h

She might have... mentioned i

wed. "Do you realiz

," she whispered,

out, he'll pull you out of here in an instant. Everyt

shook. "I'

ight. "Are you sorry because you broke the

d at him,

were da

wer, he yanked her to he

e you're playing, Emma," h

at his ches

e growled. "And definit

his ear, and whispered, "But you li

hing s

reath, cupped her jaw

ng. No h

fury that stole her breat

every boundary the

them would ev