Fear

VALERIC'S attention was suddenly drawn by the heavy smell of her scent, which was pouring from the room two doors away. He couldn't understand what she could be doing in there, but he did set his suitcase aside and made his way to the room. He turned the knob and pushed the door open to expose the inside of the room.  

Next to the bed, Stella stood, buttoning up her pajamas. She halted what she was doing at the sight of him and arched her brows at him. 

"What?" she asked without so much as casting him a long glance. 

Valeric took a short, sharp breath. "What are you doing in here?" 

Rubbing her reddish cheeks, she sat down at the edge of the bed and half smiled at him.  

"I am going to sleep in here today."  

"What?"

"Yes." She folded her arms. Now that it was clear she wasn't afraid of him, there was no longer any need to listen to anything he said. She might as well make herself comfortable.