Bait for the Ball

The crystal glass struck the side table with a sharp crack as Kaelen stood up. He did not give me time to step out of my sandals or wash the dried sea salt from my skin. Moving across the hardwood floor, he planted his broad frame directly in front of the hallway, cutting off my path toward the bathroom.

"Where were you all afternoon?" he demanded. His voice was low, taut with irritation that had