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will be back by evening.”
    “Ok.  Be safe and come back to me,” I replied, mimicking his lilting voice.
    Stefan snickered.  “That is my line, vackra.  I love you.”
    Not another word was spoken the rest of the night.  We lay together in silence, holding each other and watching the night sky change from shades of gray, morphing into light blue as morning broke over the New York skyline.
    Stefan finally pulled himself away from me to shower.  I listened to the water running and lightly dozed off, the sound of the shower lulling me to sleep.  The feel of Stefan’s lips pressing against mine awakened me.  I opened my eyes to see his face inches above mine, the smell of his expensive cologne, woodsy and sensous, filling my nose.
    “I am leaving, Josephine.  I love you.”
    Stifling a yawn, I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.  “As I love you.  Hurry home.”
    He stood, towering over the bed.  He was smartly dressed in an expensive black suit and white shirt, unbuttoned at the collar.  His blond hair was still damp and finger combed away from his face.  A red silk tie hung over his broad shoulder.  He closed the curtains and headed for the door, looking back at me and winking.  I listened as the apartment door closed and the locks slid into place.  Snuggling into my pillow, I fell asleep dreaming of Stefan and the possibilities of what we could do with that red tie.
    * * *
    Papers rustling loudly was the first thing I heard.  Sinking my head deeper into the pillow, I tried to slip back into sleep.  It was quiet for a moment and then I heard a bored sigh and the paper crackled again.  Turning over, I gasped when I saw Lukas propped up on the pillows next to me, flipping through a magazine.  His thin lips were pursed and his pale, aristocratic face was twisted in annoyance.
    “Lukas! What are you doing here?” I screeched, pulling the covers higher to cover my breasts.
    “Reading this month’s Cosmo and waiting for you to wake up.  I was reading the article on the top 10 ways to blow your lover’s mind.  Been there, done that.”  He gave an exaggerated yawn.  He closed the magazine, placing it on his lap and flashed me a dazzling smile.  “Josie, darling.  I missed you.”
    “Lukas, what are you doing here?” I repeated.  I could hear the aggravation creeping into my voice.  It was way too early for Lukas.
    He stuck out his lip in a pout.  “You wound me.  You’re awfully grouchy, Josie.  Are you missing Stefan’s massive throbbing cock this morning?”
    “Lukas!” I groaned.  I felt a blush spread over my face and chest.
    “Fine, fine.  I’m here to babysit you for a little while.  And to take you shopping.  We’re in New York City, baby.” Lukas clapped his hands and bounced up from the bed.  He went to a bag and pulled out a pair of jeans, a black tank top and a black cardigan sweater.  “This will have to do until we can get you some better clothes.”
    “Babysit?  Stefan made you fly all the way from Indonesia to babysit me?”  I was fuming at Stefan.  I didn’t need a babysitter.  I was a 28 year-old woman.  Half-immortal woman , I mentally corrected myself.
    He sat back down on the bed and clasped my chin, forcing me to meet his icy stare.  “First things first, Josie.  Stefan didn’t make me do anything.  You just had some scary shit happen, girlfriend.  Stefan thought it would be better if you weren’t alone and I agree with him.  You shouldn’t be by yourself right now.  Besides, we’re neighbors.  My flight got in last night and I heard the two of you christen the living room.  I didn’t think you had it in you.”  He fanned himself with his hand.
    Lukas’ reasoning made the indignation about being watched fly out the window.  Stefan was being proactive by having Lukas here in his absence.  Shaking my head and laughing in spite of myself, I pulled the covers even higher.  “Can you give me a little privacy so