Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 369

At that moment, footsteps echoed in the hallway. Sylvia snapped out of her

thoughts, quickly lay back, and shut her eyes tight.

A few seconds later, she felt a heavy gaze fall on her.

He stood there for a while, just watching. Sylvia kept still, pretending to sleep, until something warm and damp pressed gently against her cheek-a washcloth. She flinched, startled to realize he was cleaning her face.

When he finished, he took her hand, opening her palm. As the cloth ran over her fingers, her hand trembled.

Rupert looked down at Sylvia's reddened palm. He let out a sharp sigh, half frustrated, half amused.

He flicked his gaze toward her, still lying there, pretending to be asleep. His voice was low and gruff. "You didn't make a peep when you got hurt, but you sure know how to act like it stings now."

Busted, Sylvia yanked her hand back and rolled over, squeezing her eyes shut again.

Rupert tossed the washcloth onto the headboard and settled onto the edge of the bed.

"When did you get so hard to please, huh?"

"Playing deaf now?"

Sylvia's head was pounding-she just didn't have the energy to argue.

felt the bed dip behind her. Before she could react, Rupert pulled her over, turning her to

were damp, her gaze shimmering with tears she

word, but her hurt and

expression darkened. He lingered a moment, then said coolly, "There's

stood up and left

of water, her throat tight and raw, like there was a

the night on the living room couch, the ashtray

...

by a

little too much too, right? Get

bed. Her head felt like

a whiff of a scent-sharp and

realized she was in Rupert's penthouse

his nights here; it was close to the

the hallway jolted

crossing the corridor. She paused by the tall windows in the

up and grinned when he saw her. "Ms.

no, thanks. I should

with a loud,

already gone to the

down and took a bite. Orson poured her