Ste''s voicecked conviction. "...No, I wasn''t."


    Suddenly, the world spun as Joshua pushed her down onto the soft bed.


    His impossibly handsome face drew near, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light.


    "So you''re saying you weren''t satisfiedst night?"


    Joshua''s body was perfect. Not an ounce of fat, just evenly distributed muscle, with firm, smooth lines that could rival a top male model.


    It was clear at a nce that a physique like this wasn''t built in a gym alone.


    The sheer masculine energy radiating from him made her blush and her heart race every time she looked. Ste suddenly found it hard to breathe.


    Then she heard Joshua''s voice again. "I''m sorry. I don''t have much experience. I must have hurt you. I''ll be gentler next time."


    Before Ste could react, his warm breath brushed her lips, and she was once again submerged in his deep, lingering kiss.


    Ste wanted to tell Abby that they hadpletely misunderstood Joshua.


    He wasn''t incapable he was very capable.


    And he was being sincere when he said he didn''t want to hurt her.


    The morning sun cast a golden ray through a gap in the curtains, casting their tangled shadows across the sheets.


    When Ste opened her eyes again, it waste in the morning.


    Joshua was already fully dressed and sitting in a nearby chair, reading a book.


    In ck cks and a spotless white shirt, he looked as elegant as could be. Not only did he show no signs of fatigue, but he appeared refreshed and invigorated.


    As if sensing something, Joshua looked up at her.


    Seeing she was awake, he asked, "Is there anything you''d like to eat? I can have something sent up."


    Ste wasn''t in the mood to think about food. "Anything is fine," she said.


    Joshua didn''t press the issue. He made a call, gave some instructions, and then took a new set of clothes from a nearby cab and handed them to her.


    "Do you need my help?" Joshua asked.


    Ste took the clothes. "...No, I can do it myself," she said.


    Joshua didn''t insist and instead turned to go into the living room.


    "I''ll wait for you outside."


    Only after he left did she finally breathe normally again.


    Joshua had already helped her shower before bed, so she didn''t need to again.


    After dressing distractedly, Ste nced at her phone.


    It was filled with messages from friends, most of them saying goodbye.


    Abby had also sent several messages.


    [You''re usually so disciplined with your schedule, but you didn''t get up untilte this morning. Looks like there were some other surprisesst night, huh?


    The text was followed by a winking emoji.


    [Don''t worry about Lauretta, Haynes,


    and the others. I told them this


    morning that you trad an emergency and had to head back early.


    [Isn''t today your day off? Enjoy this happy time with Joshua.]


    [I''m heading back to Neo-Vespera. Call me if you need anything.]


    After replying to all the messages, Ste heard a soft knock on the bedroom door.


    "Star, time to get up and eat."


    Ste put down her phone. "Okay."


    On the dining table was a spread of all of Ste''s favorite foods.


    It was alreadyte, making it hard to tell if the meal was breakfast or lunch.


    Watching Joshua as he focused ondling soup for her, Ste''s heart stirred.


    Although Joshua had always been


    her, he was noticeably


    gentler after they had


    be


    intimate.


    Ste watched the quiet focus on his face and suddenly said, "Joshua, let''s get


    married."