Shame gnawed at Katrina's insides as she settled onto the bed. The silk of the night dress felt like a betrayal against her starched uniform, a stark symbol of the line she was about to cross. Burying her face in the soft pillow, she tried to hide the nervous tremor that ran through her. Did David see the lustful glint in her eyes? Was this simply a game for him, a fleeting amusement at the expense of the head maid's dignity?The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken desires and a swirl of conflicting emotions. A single tear escaped her eye, tracing a warm path down her cheek. This wasn't who she was, not the composed, dependable Katrina. Yet, a part of her, a part she'd kept hidden for so long, craved this unexpected touch, this forbidden intimacy.David's pulse quickened as Katrina lay on the bed, a picture of vulnerability nestled against the soft pillows. The vulnerability in the air was a far cry from the composed head maid he knew.