The crumpled note, lying innocuously among the other scraps, seemed to call to Nina.
Curiosity gnawed at her, and with it, an undeniable, fluttering desire.
She could feel her pulse thundering in her chest, her body reacting despite every warning she tried to give herself.
She bit her lip, hesitated, and looked around to make sure no one was watching.
Ten breaths passed as she wrestled with herself.
Each inhale felt heavier, charged with tension, while every exhale seemed to pull her closer to temptation.
Should she leave it? Should she ignore it like a responsible, rational girl?
Or should she give in to the curiosity—and something darker, more forbidden—that Ross had awakened in her?
Finally, heart pounding, she reached into the trash.
Her fingers brushed against the crumpled paper.
She pulled it out, smoothing it in her hands, and felt a thrill of illicit excitement.
Carefully, she folded it again and slipped it into her pocket.
