That evening, Meredith stood outside the hotel room door.
She still wore her black cocktail dress, the form-fitting silhouette accentuating her curves.
After a long hesitation, Meredith steeled herself and swiped the card.
The room was pitch dark, curtains drawn tight against any light.
"Mr. Johnson?"
Meredith whispered tentatively into the darkness, receiving no reply.
She edged forward cautiously, groping for the wall switch.
Just as her fingers found it, a powerful arm swept her up and flung her onto the bed.
Charles pinned her down, gripping both wrists. She couldn't move.
"You called me 'baby' before. Now it's 'Mr. Johnson'?"
His eyes burned in the darkness like a predator's, his entire body radiating dangerous intensity.
Meredith didn't want to revisit the past. Her mind w
