Edward didn't respond, but slowly began to ease his grip on her. As she calmed down, he helped her to sit up and retrieved a nearby robe from a chair, draping it over her shoulders. "There you go," he murmured quietly, his voice once again soft as silk. "Better?"

"Tomorrow morning," Edward said simply, sitting beside her on the bed. "I have some business here that requires my attention for a few more hours."

Fine. If that's how you want it, so be it. But keep in mind that the consequences will be even worse if you force me to make you undress myself.

Chuckling darkly again, Silas Micah leans against the wall, watching Alexis with hungry eyes. She's so deliciously defiant, resisting him even now when she knows he has complete control over her life. He wonders how long she'll be able to hold out against him, and whether or not she'll actually manage to escape someday. For now though, he content himself with basking in the glow of her rebellion, savoring each moment like a fine wine