A hum. “I know.”

There’s a very specific look she likes to give Pearl: chin tucked with tender simper near her shoulder, dimples peeking. Eyes plum-dark with heavy, heavy promise. She holds the gaze as her thumb flickers, as though by accident, over a slim ankle -- and then Rose is wrapping the chilly limbs with the towel. Is pressing slow and rich into the flesh underneath in a careful, coquettish massage.

“This is more for me.”