“That means I love you,” Stanley Batton declared, wearing a wary expression on his face. He had changed the topic hastily.

“I was joking," Xyla Quest laughed. "Look at how nervous you are.”

“How can I not be nervous when your emotions are involved?”

She couldn’t resist resting her head against his shoulder. “Okay, I have to get back to work. Do whatever you want, all right?”

“I’ve been spending so much time here with you, so shouldn’t you reward me? Hmm?” he asked.

She took one look at his