Love Unspoken

Quinn's body tensed, her gaze dropping swiftly to follow the trajectory of his finger, which had come to rest on her abdomen.

She was clad in one of his Henley shirts, a garment that bore a resemblance to a dress, yet was distinctively different, fastened as it was with buttons down the front.

His fingers, with a deftness that belied his intentions, unfastened one of these buttons. A wave of panic surged through Quinn, and she pressed his hand down, shaking her head in a silent plea. "Do you still wish to return to Alexander's side?" Walter inquired, his smile unwavering, his gaze clear and devoid of any discernible desire. It seemed he was merely toying with her. Quinn's lips were drawn tight.

She was at a loss as to what Walter desired to hear; both shaking and nodding her head seemed fraught with danger. "Hmm?"

She grasped his hand, her strength pitifully inadequate against his, much like a bee attempting to shake a tree. Quinn shook her head and gestured with her hands, a silent proclamation, "I will not go back, I will not return!" The amusement in Walter's eyes deepened, yet her words did nothing to soften his heart. He leaned in close, his whisper tickling her ear, "Has Alexander ever done this to you?"

of his breath, and crumpled onto the ground in a heap. She attempted to push him away, but he seized

ear, his clear eyes darkening with a shadow of murky intent. Quinn's fingers

for the complete experience all for free. The next

the shovel, and swung it at him. But before it could connect, he caught her wrist. Quinn looked up and saw the dangerous glint in his

her wrist tightly, causing her pain, and the shovel clattered to the ground. Then, without warning, he delivered a sharp slap to her face. "Smack-" A crisp sound echoed as Quinn hit the ground hard. Her cheek felt numb, not in pain, just buzzing in her ears, the world

for Quinn's vision to clear. She lifted her head and looked at Walter with a trace of blood on her lips, managing a smile

Don't degrade yourself." He tenderly touched her swollen cheek with a gentleness that bordered on