*Roman Hale*

The shower was too hot. But Desiree didn’t realize it until her skin turned pink, and even then, she didn’t adjust the temperature. She stood still under the stream, letting it beat down on her shoulders while her fingers gripped the edge of the wall. Her thighs ached, reminding her every time she shifted her weight.

When the water started to go cold, she shut it off and stepped out, wrapping herself in the nearest towel without looking in the mirror. Her hands moved ...