she slid her arm over his back , vaguely surprised to realize that only a thin layer of silk separated her fingers from his bare skin . still , there was no help for it . had she dreamed the whole thing ? i did n't say the words out loud , but i pushed them toward her , not knowing if she 'd hear them , since i was chase 's first and stone river 's second . over the sink , the window slid down , the slow movement somehow more threatening than the slammed door . 