The Bed You Make
Chapter 25, continued
Dara Jensen Cassadine leaned back against the mound of pillows resting against the headboard. Nearly an hour had passed since her encounter with Helena. She could only imagine what had gone on during that time.
As if on cue, Dara heard the outer door to the suite open. Seconds later her ‘husband' entered the bedroom. “Is everything all right? Nikolas?” she asked.
Stefan glanced briefly at her. If he was surprised to find Dara back in his bed, he gave no outward sign of it. “Nikolas is fine. Helena has been escorted to the docks.”
“What happens now?”
“We salvage the remainder of the night and rest.”
“Rest? Like nothing happened?”
Stefan pulled his white polo shirt over his head. “Nothing did happen. Not in Cassadine terms,” he explained. “There was no bloodshed, no attempt at poisoning.”
His wry humor did not go over well with Dara. “Such an encounter with Helena was to be expected,” Stefan said.
“So…” Dara struggled to concentrate. She kept her gaze on Stefan's face. He stood near enough for her to clearly see the wispy hairs that trailed down from his navel and disappeared into the waistband of his fine linen slacks. “You're saying that this visit from your mother was strictly for my benefit?”
“Not solely,” Stefan replied truthfully. He paused in his undressing. “My mother foregoes no opportunity to challenge me. But in this encounter you were the primary target.”
Dara massaged her temples. “I owe you an apology, Stefan. I have been dismissing all your warnings about Helena. If this was her just rattling my cage, then I don't want to meet her when she's really serious.”
“You are having second thoughts?”
“No.” Dara watched Stefan climb into bed. “It would be reasonable if I did, though. I am just telling you that I get it now. I get what you were trying to say.”
Stefan turned off the bedside lamp; the room was plunged into darkness. “I am pleased to hear that you are more vigilant where my mother is concerned. Now… Shall we rest?”
“ We can try ,” Dara thought. Carefully she shifted until she could just feel the warmth of Stefan's body. “Goodnight, Stefan.”
“Goodnight, wife.”
