No.

Lila's stomach churned as she met the man's leering gaze. His eyes glinted with cruel hunger, promising further debasement if she acquiesced. For a heartbeat, Lila's traitorous body yearned to surrender to that dark promise. But the last vestiges of her self-respect flared to life, steeling her resolve.

"I... I can't," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is my stop. I have to go."

The man's face contorted with frustration, his jowls quivering as he grumbled, "Fuckin' tease." His meaty hand clamped down on her wrist, thick fingers digging into her flesh. For a terrifying moment, Lila thought he might drag her back down onto the seat, consequences be damned.

But the doors slid open with a hiss, and the press of bodies eager to exit provided the distraction Lila needed. She wrenched her arm free and stumbled onto the platform, heart pounding in her chest. The man's angry curses were swallowed by the cacophony of the station as the train pulled away.

Lila leaned against a grimy pillar, gulping in great lungfuls of the stale underground air. Her legs trembled beneath her, knees threatening to buckle. The ghost of the man's touch lingered on her skin, a visceral reminder of how close she'd come to utter ruin. If she'd given in, if she'd allowed him to continue... Lila shuddered, imagining herself branded and cast into the ranks of the Fallen.

She smoothed her skirt with shaking hands, adjusting her clothing to erase any evidence of her ordeal. A glance at her watch sent a jolt of panic through her - she was dangerously close to being late. Straightening her spine, Lila **** her wobbly legs to carry her towards the exit.