Chapter 12

The first thing Shania became aware of was the deep, borderline unpleasant ache of her body. She frowned and twisted a little before coming fully awake. With a moan, she shoved herself into a sitting position and tried to reach back to touch one of the aching stripes that marked her back. As the heavy quilt fell away from her naked body, she became aware that she wasn't in that horrible room Khalid had taken her to last night, nor was she in her own room. The heavy, dark furniture came into focus and she realized she was in the penthouse. His room.

She tried to think of how she got there when a scraping noise caught her attention. Khalid was sitting in the chair against the corner wall watching her intently. Shania blushed and pulled the blanket back up her body.

"It won't happen again."

She knew right away what he meant. His voice, deep with regret, assured her of his honesty. She dropped her eyes as the memory of his beating swept over her. It hadn't hurt nearly as much as she