"Joshua?"


    "Yeah," the figure replied. He shifted and slowly walked into the room.


    The shifting light and shadows yed across him, making his imposing figure look especially dark and enigmatic.


    Ste''s heart skipped a beat as that strange, unsettling feeling washed over her again.


    "Where did you go just now?" she asked.


    Joshua handed her a ss of water. "I figured you''d be thirsty when you woke up, so I went to get you a drink."


    She took the ss from him. "When did you get back? Why didn''t you say anything? You scared me to death just standing there in the doorway."


    He looked at her with a half-smile. "I came back right after you got on the phone. You were just so deep in conversation that you didn''t hear me knock."


    Ste''s eyes flickered slightly.


    When Neville had broken the news about Sellers going missing, she really had been too distracted to notice anyone at the door.


    Maybe it was just the dim lighting in the room, but Joshua''s eyes looked like they were swirling with dark mist as he stared at her unblinkingly.


    Under the weight of that intense gaze, she found herself inexplicably afraid to meet


    his eyes.


    To mask her unease, she took a sip from the water he''d given her.


    Joshua watched her quietly. "Do you have ns with Neville tomorrow?"


    She paused, then gave a slight nod.


    "Yeah, it''s been a long time since Ist saw him."


    An idea suddenly struck her. "Joshua, if you don''t have anything going on tomorrow, why don''t youe with me?"


    The corners of his lips curved up into a faint smile. "Sure."


    Hearing him agree, she breathed a sigh of relief.


    ????


    She was just debating whether or not to tell him about Sellers disappearing when he suddenly reached out His long, elegant fingers gently wiped a drop of water from the corner of her mouth The gesture was tender and meticulous, carrying an indescribablé trace of intimacy.


    She instinctively leaned away, using the motion as an excuse to set her ss down on the nightstand.


    Sensing her hesitation, he slowly leaned in closer. His strikingly handsome face hovered near herszá thrilling hint of dagger shing in his beautifureyes. He lowered his voice, murmuring right next to her ear, "Star, are you hiding from me?"


    "No," she replied, shaking her head reflexively.


    Joshua didn''t seem to care about her answer He leaned down and captured her lips in a fierce kiss. He trailed a path of fire down her throat, his mouth iming the sensitive skin of her corbone and leaving a map of dark, possessive marks that would still be there long after the sun rose.


    Ste thought he was just intentionally leaving marks again, like he had done that


    time when they were dealing with Keen O''Brien.


    But his breathing grew heavier, the heat between them quickly escting.


    A wave of exhaustion hit her. "Joshua, I''m really tired today. I just want to get some sleep..."


    Hepletely ignored her.


    Unable to help herself, she pushed against his chest.


    Her resistance didn''t stop him; if anything, it only seemed to fuel his wild,


    unrestrained hunger.


    ...


    Outside, the sky was just beginning to lighten with the dawn.


    Ste opened her heavy eyes. Her body waspletely drained of energy; she didn''t even want to lift a finger.


    Turning her head slightly, she saw him sitting up against the headboard on the other side of the bed.


    In the dim light, she couldn''t make out his expression, but she could clearly sense that he was in a dark mood.


    Still,pared to his wild loss of control yesterday, he didn''t feel quite as much like a stranger right now.