Chapter 50

She felt her own thoughts were dirty, that her secret longing tainted him, tainted the bond between them. Her love was a shameful secret, something that had to be hidden in the dark.

Latisha's eyes fluttered open. The bright light overhead was blinding. She squeezed them shut for a moment before trying again.

She turned her head. The room was familiar, but Clifford was gone.

She had just woken from the dream, and the feeling of loss still clung to her, a heavy weight that made her heart ache.

Latisha pushed herself up and opened the nightstand drawer to find a sanitary pad. Just as she was about to head to the bathroom, the bedroom door opened, and Clifford walked in.

She froze, clutching the pad in her hand.

His eyes flicked to the object in her hand, but he didn't comment. "Since you're awake, come downstairs and eat."