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"And at your graduation"

"And atin ht’ve been there for soer brother or sister"

He takes a deep breath, and I can see that he’s much more calm now "It doesn’t matter now, Nora I wanted you here, with me, not out there It’s much safer for you--and for that boy"

"Safer for Jake?"

Julian nods "If you had gone out with hiain, I would’ve killed him It’s best for everyone that you’re here, away froht want you"

He’s co Jake It’s not an idle threat I can see it on his face

My lips feel dry, so I lick the changing My simple action clearly turned him on

Suddenly, a crazy and desperate idea occurs to s tomy fae? I’m inexperienced, but I’uys Could I do this? Could I so to have to be careful about it I can’t have a sudden about-face I can’t act like I despise him one minute and love him the next He needs to believe that he can take ly re as he wants ain

I’ to have to take my time and convince Julian of my devotion

Chapter 8

For the rest of the dinner, I continue acting scared and intimidated It’s not really an act because I do feel that way I’ innocent people How else am I supposed to feel?

However, I also try to be seductive It’s s at him The way I bite into a piece of papaya that Beth cut up for our dessert and lick the juice off my lips

I know h half-closed eyelids I’ve practiced that look in front of thewhen I tilt o overboard because he wouldn’t find that believable I just do little things that he