The grandfather clock in the hall chimed three, its sound swallowed by the heavy silence of the old house.

Stella lay curled against Brandon, the warmth of his body a comforting anchor in the unfamiliar darkness. His scent, a blend of sandalwood and something uniquely him, filled her senses, a subtle, intoxicating perfume that lulled her into a deep sleep. She hadn't meant to fall asleep, but the exhaustion of the evening, coupled with the unexpected comfort of his embrace, had overcome ...