Thorn released his wrists and brought her hands to his face, lightly caressing his cheeks before giving him another light kiss.  “That seems to be the fantasy of many men, Stine.  The problem is that some men take full advantage of a woman…they forget that she is a person, not an object,” she whispered onto his lips before slowly leaning back.  She picked up her empty glass and tilted her head at him, searching his eyes for a monster hidden inside.  “Don’t cross that line, Stine.  Don’t ever go beyond what a woman wants and you and I will be great friends,” she said before getting up from the floor and flashing him a genuine smile.<br/><br/>At the same moment the door to the basement opened and Shadow walked into the room.  Thorn went over to pour herself another drink as she gave Shadow a passing glance.  It was now her turn to descend the steps.  She poured her drink and quickly drank the contents before walking over to Shadow and handing her the empty glass.  “Sleep well,” she whispered then continued to the basement door.  Once the door closed behind her, Thorn’s thoughts returned to the day she had met Shadow.<br/><br/><em>Shadow was sitting at the table blushing as Thorn’s brother put his arm protectively around her.  Thorn remembered immediately liking the girl and her shy, quiet nature.   Her brother had seemed so very happy with his new young girlfriend that Thorn would never have guessed at the time what was really going on.  </em><br/><br/>Pushing the memory from her mind she continued down the stairs and into the room where the young man seemed to be sleeping.  Shadow had done a lot of damage and Thorn frowned at what lay ahead of her tonight.  She walked over and stood over him with a sad look in her eyes before lightly touching his shoulder.  “Hey…wake up sweetheart,” she whispered.