di

he room like a

s because Julian demanded absolute visibility,

a dry mouth and a sense of disorientation. He felt heavy. Res

arm was numb.

a woman

chest. He scrambled backward, his

the

rn of fear. His foot conne

t

She simply rolled with the force of the kick, falling off the edge of t

ared. She looked annoyed. She rubbed her e

g. He recognized her now. The flannel

thed. "The c

sed. "What are you doing in my bed? Did you sneak in? Is this some ki

his nakedness even more ridiculous. She looked at him with eyes that were

er voice flat. "Stella. She

licked into place. Stella.

muttered. A vein throbbed in his temple. He didn't apologize. Ster

the intercom on

d. "Guest room.

ngs. Get out. If I ever find you i

slung it over her shoulder. She looked at him, he

way, she drawled.

d out, closing the d

She hadn't cried. She hadn'

vin Kleins. He felt a str

ping coffee, waiting for the screaming match. She had her

n the grand staircase. She

, walking past Stell

. "Did... did

a cup of black coffee. "Julian

oked on h

his hair wet and slicked back, his face a mask of icy indifference. He

ella's chair. He did

ut boundaries, Stel

The plan had backfired. The mouse hadn't been eate