Chapter 105

His lips trailed downward slowly.

The warm sensation slid from her hairline, brushed past her brow, and lingered at the tip of her nose.

"Stella, may I?"

Backlit by the light, his silhouette enveloped her completely. She couldn't see his expression, only felt the strength of his arms around her.

"I..."

Mr. Alistair's voice suddenly dimmed. "Still not ready? It's alright. I can wait."

"It's not that I don't want to," Stella hurried to explain. "It's just..."

"Just what?"

Unresolved knots still tangled in her heart.

Memories of Julian Valois and Joy Fairsprene's past played vividly in her mind. Now Joy was entangled with that unreliable Harry Vance, and Stella couldn't help worrying. If she returned Julian to Joy, perhaps she'd be facilitating a perfect match.

By any measure, Julian was far more dependable than Harry. And besides... his heart had always belonged to someone.

"Mr. Alistair."

"Hmm?"

"You've denied being Julian Valois before."

The arms around her tightened abruptly. His response was evasive. "Does my identity matter so much to you?"

Stella bit her lip. "Just this last question..."

"If I am, will you push me toward Joy Fairsprene?"

She fell silent.

Mr. Alistair always understood her best.

"Joy has helped me so much," she sighed. "If you two—"

"Stella." He cut her off.

A warm palm covered hers, pressing it against his chest.

Through the thin fabric of his shirt, his heartbeat pulsed distinctly.

"Feel that?" He leaned in, breath grazing her ear.

Her earlobe burned. She wanted to pull away, but his grip held firm.

"Hmm?" He deliberately drew closer.

Flustered, she tried to create distance, but with a deft movement, he unbalanced her. She stumbled forward, collapsing against him.

"Mr. Alistair, you—"

"I what?"

You're terrible.

She whispered it silently in her heart.

"Don't curse me in your thoughts." His low chuckle vibrated against her. "I know everything."

Stella gasped and looked up, but all she met was darkness.

"You can read minds?"

"Only yours." His lips skimmed the corner of her mouth. "I know exactly what you're thinking."

"Then what if... I leave?"

"You promised you wouldn't." His voice dropped abruptly.

"I'm scared," she admitted softly. "I don't know who you are. I don't know where you are. If you disappeared..."

"I won't." His arms tightened. "Not unless you send me away."

"Adrian Roland said the same thing once."

Mr. Alistair paused. "I'm not him."

"He was young then." Her voice was barely audible. "Promises are always forgotten by those who make them and remembered by those who hear them."

"So I'm old now?" A sudden laugh escaped him.

"No! I meant—"

"I know." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "My Stella understands me best."

Those two words—my Stella—sent tremors through her heart.

Far more stirring than any rote "I love you."

"So... are you Julian Valois?"

"I'm just your Mr. Alistair."

"And during the day?"

"During the day..." He suddenly swept her up into his arms. "I'll hide very well."

In the bedroom, he sat on the edge of the bed with her in his lap, refusing to let go.

"I can't tell you the truth yet." His voice was muffled against her hair. "Because I'm afraid too."

"Mr. Alistair feels fear?"

"Of course." His whisper was barely audible. "Today's our housewarming. Look how bright the stars are."

Outside the window, the night sky glittered with countless stars.

September third.

0903—a date she would remember forever.