Chapter 2

The second time he tilted his head, Alicia got the message.

For a moment she sat there paralyzed. Part of her wanted to gather up her things and move to another train compartment.

Another part of her - a part she didn't know very well at all - decided to stay.

The compartment felt too hot. Alicia's emotions churned inside of her. Then it seemed that time stood still. The rattling of the carriage receeded. The other passengers disappeared. A strange peace descended over Alicia.

Turning her head towards the window and noticing that the light was dying in the winter sky, Alicia uncrossed her legs.

As she did, she remembered what she was wearing beneath. Above the charcoal stockings, she wore nothing but a dark purple lacy thong. Slowly she spread her knees.

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