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For one shocking second, I feel a hot tide of jealousy sweeping overof another woman

Then my rational side reasserts itself Maria could easily be his mother or his sister--and even if she’s not, why should I care that he’s drea

So I s and reach for his of jealousy "Julian?"

As soon as rabs asp escapes me as he pulls me toward him His ar, and I can feel hiainst him, my face pressed into his shoulder His skin is cold and cla in his chest

"Maria," heinto my back with such force that I’m sure there will be bruises there to this on purpose He’s in the grip of his night coht now

After a while, I can hear his breathing easing His ar ins to slow "Maria," he whispers again, but there’s less pain in his voice now, as though he’s reliving happier times with her, whatever thoselest I wake hi co he’s done to me, I can’t deny that a part ofof closeness, of safety He’s the only thing I have to fear; logically, I know that It doesn’tthe darkness at bay, keepingout there

Just as I’htone again

"Where is he?" I ask Beth at breakfast, watching as she cuts up a e of discomfort when I move, a reminder of ency," she says, her hands raceful efficiency that I can’t help but admire "He should be back in a couple of days"

"What kind of work es "I don’t know You can ask Julian that when he returns"

I look at her, trying to understand what irl he brought here, to this island," I say, keeping my tone casual "So what did he do with the others?"

"There were no others" She’s done with thethe plate in front ofdown to eat her own breakfast

"So why is he doing this to ot peculiar tastes, but surely there are wo even white teeth "Of course But he wants you"