Flights Of Passion

Chapter 6

Selene Johansen bent over and scooped up a heavy cardboard box. Her long, white-blond braid slipped over her shoulder to dangle onto the carton, the end tracing squiggles in the thick dust. She hefted the box, and the unbalanced load inside shifted uncomfortably.

Thank goodness there are only a couple of boxes left.

Thank goodness there are only a couple of boxes left.Hoisting the burden, she made her way across the squeaky wooden floor towards the door of the compact pink and green bedroom. She had to step aside as her friend Maggie barreled in, black ponytail bouncing, intent on collecting another load.

Selene arrived made her way to the rusty white pickup and set the heavy box in the nearly-full bed. Good thing we"re about done here.

Good thing we"re about done here.She glanced around the small, tidy front yard. Neatly trimmed grass gave way to a row of carefully shaped shrubs along the front of the house. An aged oak shaded the windows of the front room, through which she could barely see the comfortable seating area. The clean, white-painted siding of the small one-story matched its larger neighbors for attractiveness, if not exactly for size. She smiled. It looks like a baby house at play with older siblings.

It looks like a baby house at play with older siblings.“Come on, Selene,” Maggie called from the open doorway. “The day won"t wait for us. Stop smelling the flowers and get to work.”

Selene grinned at her friend"s impatience. Though Maggie"s correct about one thing; the intoxicating fragrance of lilac is worth a moment"s attention.

Though Maggie"s correct about one thing; the intoxicating fragrance of lilac is worth a moment"s attention.As Selene headed back into the house, a brief blast of synthesized violin music from her pocket arrested her progress. She paused in the living room, fished out her cell phone and sank onto the sofa to answer the call.

“Don"t you dare!” Maggie exclaimed, snatching the phone out of Selene"s hand and making a swiping motion across the screen with her finger.

“Hey!” Selene protested, jumping to her feet. “That was probably work.”

“And you"re not on call,” Maggie retorted, unperturbed. “The fate of the universe doesn"t depend on you.”

Selene shook her head. “I"ve told you before. You know how important it is for me to do what I do. Because of me, lives are saved that might otherwise be lost. I matter, Maggie.”

“Yeah, I get that,” Maggie replied, handing her back the phone, “but you"re a person, too. You deserve a day off now and again, and you only have one weekend a month when you"re not on call. Please, don"t give it up because of a job. There are other cops, Selene. Give one of them a chance to shine.” With that she flounced away.

Torn, Selene stared at the screen of her phone. Maggie has a point, a little voice in her head reminded her. You"ve been working ten to twelve-hour shifts every day for the last three weeks. Feeling suddenly determined, Selene tucked her phone back into her pocket and returned to the bedroom for another box.

Maggie has a point,You"ve been working ten to twelve-hour shifts every day for the last three weeks.Maggie squeezed past Selene carrying a box of…something with apparent ease. That didn"t it was light. Maggie"s job as a physical trainer left her amazingly strong. It showed in the slim, toned figure, the chiseled arms, and the perfectly flat stomach. Her face, of course, matched her figure. Her excellent conditioning made her impressive cheekbones and strong nose stand out in perfect relief. Her shining black hair, tied up today in a practical ponytail, hung neatly to her shoulders.

Selene returned to the bedroom and hefted the second-to-last box. Its staggering weight momentarily threw her off balance. So that"s where the Anatomy and Physiology textbooks Maggie kept after college ended up.

So that"s where the Anatomy and Physiology textbooks Maggie kept after college ended up“Remind me why we"re doing this,” she whined playfully to her friend as Maggie bounded into the room and scooped up the last box. “You always said it made sense for a single woman to live at home, especially since you wanted to keep your dad company.”

Maggie shrugged. “I don"t know,” she replied. “I just felt like I needed a change. This seemed like a good time to do something different. Now shut up and move. This box is heavy.”

Probably hand weights, Selene thought. Thankful for the hours of training she spent each week in the police department"s gym, she moved the box to the back of Maggie"s rusty old pickup, Maggie trailing behind her with the final carton.

Probably hand weights,“Ladies,” a warm and friendly voice came from behind them, “before you drive away, would either of you like something to drink?”

Selene turned around. Maggie"s father Brandon stood behind her holding out two glasses of what could only be his homemade lemonade.

“Thanks, Dad,” Maggie said, grabbing one and downing it in three gulps.

“Yes, thank you,” Selene echoed shyly. I"ve always liked Maggie"s dad, perhaps a little too much, but I"ve never felt entirely comfortable around him. I"m not sure whether he knows about my gift, but I hope he doesn"t. I want at least one person to believe I"m normal, and if it could be Brandon Price, well, that would be just perfect.

I"ve always liked Maggie"s dad, perhaps a little too much, but I"ve never felt entirely comfortable around him. I"m not sure whether he knows about my gift, but I hope he doesn"t. I want at least one person to believe I"m normal, and if it could be Brandon Price, well, that would be just perfect.“I can"t believe you"re done already,” he commented. “I was going to help.”

“I guess you"re slowing down in your old age, Dad. We young chicks are just too fast for you.”

“Sorry, I got tied up.”

“You know, Dad, you could have told Grandma you would call her back.”

“Yeah right, Maggie. If I did that, I would hear about it for a month.”

“You"re right,” Maggie grinned, “but it"s okay, Dad. Selene and I got it taken care of.”

Brandon"s dark eyes met Selene"s briefly.

She glanced away, studying the garden beds with great interest. To cover the nervous movement, she took a sip of the lemonade. Mmmm. Perfect, like always. Tart and refreshing. She swallowed another, deeper mouthful and peeked back at Brandon and Maggie, standing together on the driveway. The striking pair looked so much alike. Tall with glossy black hair, sculpted cheekbones, and warm dark eyes… I wonder who my father was.

Mmmm. Perfect, like always. Tart and refreshing.… I wonder who my father was.Quick as a flash, she pushed away the errant thought.

There"s no benefit in feeling sorry for yourself. Fate has decreed that you"ll live without a family, and honestly, they"d a distraction from work. Mentally shaking her head, Selene tossed down the rest of her lemonade and handed the glass back to Brandon with a shy smile.

There"s no benefit in feeling sorry for yourself. Fate has decreed that you"ll live without a family, and honestly, they"d a distraction from work.He smiled back, his white teeth flashing against the copper of his skin.

Selene felt a rush of heat to her face and hoped she wasn"t blushing. She met his eyes again and he winked at her. God, I"m hot. I must be blushing. Damn it.

God, I"m hot. I must be blushing. Damn it.“Can I offer you ladies some dinner?” he suggested.

“No time, Dad,” Maggie replied. “I still have to unload this stuff at the apartment.”

Selene tried to squash down her disappointment. After such a hard day"s work, eating one of Brandon"s delicious meals would have been the perfect reward.

After such a hard day"s work, eating one of Brandon"s delicious meals would have been the perfect reward.“Maybe Selene would like to eat with you though,” Maggie continued, surprising Selene out of her contemplation.

“Don"t you want my help at the other end?” she asked.

“Not really,” Maggie replied with a sassy look. “I"ve already heard enough knowing sighs from you. I know where I want my things, and I don"t want to spend the next six months looking for them because you had a ‘better idea" about where they should go!” She planted her hands on her hips and smirked.

Selene smiled at the banter. “If you had any logic at all in that little pea brain of yours,” she teased back, “you would realize I"ve put them in the best places and look for them there first.”

Maggie shook her head. “You know, Selene, you would make a lousy roommate.”

“Why do you think I live alone?” Selene replied. She wrinkled her nose at Maggie and giggled.

Maggie responded with a sort.

“So, Selene,” Brandon said, drawing her eyes back to his face, “would you like to stay for dinner? I have a stuffed chicken breast with mushrooms calling your name.”

Selene"s mouth watered at the thought of food that didn"t come frozen and sealed under cellophane. You should really get home. You never know when they"re going to call you into work. Still…this is Brandon. “Sure,” she told him, smiling again.

You should really get home. You never know when they"re going to call you into work. Still…this is Brandon.Maggie waved, hopped into her battered pickup and drove off, leaving Selene and Brandon to watch the precariously stacked boxes sway.

“Do you think she"ll arrive with all her stuff intact?” Selene asked as she disappeared around the corner.

“She"ll be lucky if it"s all still in the truck,” Brandon replied.

They both laughed, turning toward the house. He escorted her to the door and ushered her in with a hand on her back. As his pinky finger touched the centimeter of bare skin between Selene"s shirt and jeans, his feelings washed over her. Sadness formed the largest part, but she could also detect some relief, and not over his daughter leaving, either. I"m glad Selene is staying. I"m not ready to face dinner alone. I"ve been alone so long…

I"m glad Selene is staying. I"m not ready to face dinner alone. I"ve been alone so long…I"m glad Selene is staying. I"m not ready to face dinner aloneI"ve been alone so long…She stepped away from him quickly, hating to intrude on the thoughts of innocent people. I wish I could block this, shut it off except at appropriate times. Sadly, no such luck. Any time a person"s hand touched her bare skin, she knew exactly what that person was thinking. “I"m hardly fit company,” she told him, looking down at her dirty clothing.

I wish I could block this, shut it off except at appropriate times. Sadly, no such luck“Don"t worry,” Brandon said reassuringly, “I"m not likely to throw out a guest because of a little dust. Besides, it came from this house to begin with. Why don"t you go wash up? I"ll set the table.”

Selene scuttled off to the bathroom. Standing in front of a mirrored pedestal with a scalloped sink, she brushed as much grime as she could off her oldest jeans and faded tee-shirt, hating the way it settled on the black and white tile floor. She washed her hands with a bar of fragrant soap. The aroma of herbs and prairie flowers wafted up, friendly, welcoming and homey. I wonder where he finds this soap. It"s not in any of the stores where I"ve looked for it.

I wonder where he finds this soapIt"s not in any of the stores where I"ve looked for it.She splashed a little water on her dusty face. No makeup at all, and she looked like a teenager. The faint smattering of freckles she pretended didn"t exist stood out against her skin, which seemed paler than usual. I look a little sick. She frowned at her reflection. Well, I feel fine, and a little paleness is nothing to be too concerned about.

I look a little sick. Well, I feel fine, and a little paleness is nothing to be too concerned about.Shrugging, Selene left the bathroom. Passing down the narrow hallway to the kitchen, she seated herself at the round wooden table in one corner. She glanced at Brandon, who stood with his back to her near the stainless steel six-burner stove, stirring something in a large pot. The cavernous workspace, crowned with shining gold and black granite, made an impressive showplace fit for Brandon"s culinary prowess.

He approached her, carrying two plates and setting one in front of her, and then took a seat as she inhaled in appreciation. The chicken breast had been stuffed with ricotta and spinach and served with a rich mushroom sauce, seasoned rice, and steamed asparagus.

She forked up a mouthful of the tender meat, closing her eyes to concentrate on its succulent flavor. Delicious. “You know,” she told Brandon after several bites, “if you ever decide to give up being a career counselor, you could make a fortune working in a restaurant.”

DeliciousBrandon smiled, leaning his chin on his fist. “Thank you,” he said. Then, more quietly, added, “I"m glad you stayed. It"s always nicer to cook for someone else.”

“I"m sure,” Selene replied. “That"s why I never bother. With no one else to feed, why go to all the trouble?”

He looked at her with his heart-melting brown eyes and said nothing, but his expression spoke volumes. She didn"t need to be a powerful touch psychic to read that particular thought.

“It"s hell being alone isn"t it?” she asked softly.

He dipped his chin, acknowledging her comment. For the briefest of moments, his lip moved—almost a tremble—and then he bit down on it.

Selene laid her hand on the sleeve of his shirt, her way of giving a comforting touch while honoring his privacy.

He slid his arm out slowly from under her hand until his palm touched hers.

Selene tried to slip away, but he closed his fingers, encasing her in his emotions. “Please,” she said softly, “you shouldn"t do that.”

“Don"t you want to know?” he asked her.

Selene looked down at her napkin. So, he knows I"m a freak. “I"m trying to respect your privacy,” she told him.

So, he knows I"m a freak“I"m choosing to share.”

“Are you sure… I wouldn"t, I mean, I…”

“Unless you don"t want me to…”

Not want to share thoughts with Brandon? Thoughts freely offered? “No. No, I"m glad. It"s nice to feel normal emotions from someone for a change.”

Not want to share thoughts with Brandon? Thoughts freely offered?She laced her fingers through his and let his feelings wash over her. Sorrow, grief, loneliness and a little fear.

Sorrow, grief, loneliness and a little fear.Sorrow, grief, loneliness and a little fear.He really doesn"t want to be alone. She closed her eyes and then opened them to look deeply into his. The warm brown depths drew her like a magnet. She unconsciously leaned in, closer to him than she could ever remember being before.

He really doesn"t want to be alone.God, he"s handsome, and his lips are so close. I"d only have to move a couple of inches… She tried to remind herself that he just didn"t want to be alone, that the circumstances, not her presence, made him vulnerable. But I don"t want to be alone either. She moved forward, intentionally this time, but stopped, too shy to continue. Her attention focused on the sensations moving into her through their joined hands.

God, he"s handsome, and his lips are so close. I"d only have to move a couple of inches…But I don"t want to be alone eitherDisappointment.

DisappointmentDisappointmentSelene met Brandon’s eyes in surprise.

He moved his chin down again, a slight nod. Subtle. Almost unnoticeable.

She noticed.

His free hand touched her chin and the double dose of sensation overwhelmed her. He lifted her face until her eyes met his again. She could feel the query pulse into her from both sides. Don’t stop.

Don’t stop.Don’t stop.He wants it too, but he can"t hear my thoughts, she realized. Goodness, how can people who aren"t psychic communicate? Brandon won"t know what I want unless I do or say something obvious. The realization ignited her courage. Imitating his soft nod, she lowered her face into his hand and gently kissed the palm.

He wants it too, but he can"t hear my thoughts,Goodness, how can people who aren"t psychic communicate? Brandon won"t know what I want unless I do or say something obviousOh, wow. His nerves fluttered into her, but he nonetheless moved toward her and pressed his lips lightly to hers. It was a soft touch, like the brush of a butterfly"s wings. So gentle. She closed her eyes and lifted her face. He responded. Another brush, then another. She released his hand so both of hers could slide around his neck. His tongue swept her lips. She opened, letting him taste her.

Oh, wow. Oh, wow.,.Suddenly, Selene felt as though the lights had been turned off. Somewhere in the middle of that drugging kiss, he had released her face. The moment his hand left her skin so he could draw her to stand pressed against his body, she lost her sense of his feelings. Without that intoxicating but false intimacy, reality hit like icy rain.

What on earth am I doing kissing my best friend"s father? Dear Lord, I"m nearly in his lap. She stepped back, breathing heavily.

What on earth am I doing kissing my best friend"s father? Dear Lord, I"m nearly in his lap“What?” Brandon asked. “What happened?”

“What are we doing?” she wheezed.

He blinked. The transition from passion to nervous questions had been too swift. “Commiserating,” he finally said.

“That"s all?” Oh, God. It didn"t mean anything. She closed her eyes in disappointment and turned away.

Oh, God. It didn"t mean anything.His hand on her chin forced her eyes back to his. With the touch came a flash of something intense she didn"t have time to interpret. Then his fingers withdrew. “If that"s all you want it to be, but…”

“But?” She sucked in her breath.

He held out his hand. “I don"t know the words.”

She swallowed hard, realizing what she hadn"t seen earlier. He"s using my gift to communicate with me. No one has ever done that before. Nervous, about what, she wasn"t sure, Selene touched his palm with her fingertips. A contact so light made his feelings more like an echo, but an audible one.

. He"s using my gift to communicate with me. No one has ever done that before.I"ve been interested for quite a while, attracted even. I like you. I didn"t know how to begin, but sadness over Maggie moving out—along with your otherworldly empathy—overcame my restraint. I want your comfort, but I also want your company, and not because I"m lonely and you"re convenient. I want you, Selene.

I"ve been interested for quite a while, attracted even. I like you. I didn"t know how to begin, but sadness over Maggie moving out—along with your otherworldly empathy—overcame my restraint. I want your comfort, but I also want your company, and not because I"m lonely and you"re convenient. I want you, Selene.I"ve been interested for quite a while, attracted even. I like you. I didn"t know how to begin, but sadness over Maggie moving out—along with your otherworldly empathy—overcame my restraint. I want your comfort, but I also want your company, and not because I"m lonely and you"re convenient. I want you, Selene.Selene exhaled a breath she hadn"t known she was holding. Brandon is interested in me? Oh, wow. She let the realization wash over her, breathing in his scent even as her fingers captured his thoughts. It felt wonderful, like a hug, only better. Then reality intruded. Wait, no, I can"t just wallow in his feelings like a freak. We need to do this like normal people. “Can we sit somewhere more comfortable and talk about this?” she suggested. “I mean, really talk with words.”

Brandon is interested in meOh, wow.Waitno, I can"t just wallow in his feelings like a freak. We need to do this like normal people.“Of course.” His fingers slid down her arm, but she dodged, not wanting to get sucked back into the irresistible vortex of Brandon"s thoughts and emotions. He laid his hand on her back instead, and they walked into the living room and sat side by side on the western style sofa.

“I think you should back up and tell me what"s going on here,” Selene said, using the carefully neutral tone she often employed when interrogating suspects.

“There isn"t much to tell,” Brandon replied, his voice soft but intense. “Putting it into words would be like trying to explain the wind. I don"t have the skill. Besides, you felt everything, right?”

“Yes, but that"s not the point,” she insisted. “This isn"t how these things are supposed to work.”

Brandon shrugged. “Who cares about supposed to? You"re unique. Why shouldn"t we begin in a unique way?”

Unique. Not weird, freakish, or odd. How nice it sounds. “Are we beginning something?” Her heart began hammering as she asked the question.

Unique. Not weird, freakish, or odd. How nice it sounds.“We can if you want to,” he said, and, after taking a deep breath, added, “I know I want to.”

He wants to? Oh, how utterly and unexpectedly perfect. Have I ever had something I want simply handed to me? Could it be this easy? Again, the temptation to simply nestle into his thoughts—and his waiting arms—crept over her… until reality intruded. “What about Maggie?”

He wants to? Oh, how utterly and unexpectedly perfect. Have I ever had something I want simply handed to me? Could it be this easy?A hint of a frown creased the little space between Brandon"s eyebrows. “What about her? She"s been after me for years to start dating again.”

“I don"t think I"m quite the person she had in mind,” Selene pointed out.

One corner of his mouth turned up, acknowledging the awkwardness with a wry, humorless grin. “She"ll adjust. Maggie is an adult now. She"s moving on with her life. Why shouldn"t I do the same?”

“But…”

“Listen,” Brandon told her earnestly, laying a hand on her shoulder, “If you aren"t interested, please just say so. I"d rather know than wonder.”

“I didn"t say I wasn"t interested,” Selene assured him. “I just didn"t see this coming.”

“Didn"t you?” He traced a finger up her neck and over her cheek, sending her a quick flash of amusement. “Did I imagine all those shy smiles, the flirty looks? Was I dreaming your interest because it was what I wanted to see? That isn"t what that kiss felt like.”

Selene swallowed hard. “You weren"t imagining it, but I never thought my childish crush would amount to anything. You were an attractive fantasy, something to keep me warm…” she choked and turned red, “when I"m lonely.”

A look of masculine pride spread over Brandon"s handsome face. “Why shouldn"t your feelings amount to anything?” he asked, still trailing his fingers over her cheek.

She closed her eyes at the soothing touch. “They never have before,” she said without emotion, not wanting to whine, but merely stating a fact, albeit one of the most discouraging facts of her life.

As though unable to restrain himself another moment, Brandon wrapped warm arms around Selene"s slender frame. “The entire world must be populated with idiots. Will you take a chance on me, Selene? We"ll go as slow as you want until you get comfortable with the idea. Will you give it a try?”

Selene thought for a moment. While every instinct she possessed—not to mention every nerve in her body—screamed at her to say yes, the analytical part of her mind that never really shut off reminded her of how much pressure her job placed on her, and how it devoured all her time. “I work a lot,” she told him letting her regret show on her face. “Long hours, tons of overtime, and I"m on call nearly every evening and weekend. Being with me would still mean you"d be spending a lot of time alone.”

He slowly shook his head, not accepting her words as the end of the conversation. “I"ve been alone for years. At least I could be with you sometimes.”

He would accept even that? “I have very little to offer.”

He would accept even that?Incredulity and heat flared into her from his fingertips. “Let me be the judge of that,” he said, his eyes boring into hers with passionate intensity.

She looked away. “Don"t forget, Brandon, I"m a freak. I can read your mind. You"ll never be able to keep a secret from me.”

Can"t have that. His words flared in her mind as he turned her to face him. “You"re not a freak. You have a gift. If it can sometimes be uncomfortable, well, it has its uses too. It doesn"t bother me. Say yes.”

Can"t have that.Can"t have that.The heat in those eyes. The desire. No one has ever looked at me like this before. She could think of no other excuses, and really, she didn"t want to try. The temptation overwhelmed her, and she couldn"t withstand it. “All right then, Brandon. We"ll try this and see where it leads.” I hope I sounded as nonchalant as I intended.

The heat in those eyes. The desire. No one has ever looked at me like this before.I hope I sounded as nonchalant as I intended.He dazzled her with a white-toothed smile.

Selene badly wanted to pinch herself and see if she were dreaming. No, I don"t. If this is only a dream, I don"t want to wake up yet. Kissing Brandon…I would never have imagined it outside of my wildest fantasies. Even then, she rarely let herself indulge; it was so far beyond likelihood. Oh, don"t lie to yourself. Alone, unable to sleep, she had sometimes succumbed to the temptation and imagined his arms around her, his firm full lips pressed to hers. The longing released by those fantasies had been excruciating. And now you know your imagination fell utterly short of reality.

No, I don"t. If this is only a dream, I don"t want to wake up yet. Kissing Brandon…I would never have imagined it outside of my wildest fantasies.Oh, don"t lie to yourself.And now you know your imagination fell utterly short of reality.Wishing she could communicate her own feelings without words, she gave Brandon a pleading look. He chuckled softly and pulled her against him in a tight hug. His mouth came down on hers. Instead of feather-light persuasions, this kiss smashed into the wall of her loneliness with the impact of a train. His hands did not touch her skin but rested gently on the back of her shirt. The only thoughts she heard were her own, a repetitive voice chanting, Yes! Yes! Yes! Her arms slipped around his neck, and she kissed him back with reckless abandon.

Yes! Yes! Yes!Time ceased to have any meaning as they explored each other"s lips and mouths, and it could have been an hour later when they finally parted, panting.

Selene blinked a few times, startled by the intensity of desire and passion flooding through her. “Wow,” she said softly. “That was…I don"t even know how to describe it.”

“Don"t try,” he urged. “The words don"t exist.”

He"s got that right. This… whatever this is… is bigger than any word in any language. So big. So deep… it"s a little scary.

He"s got that right. This… whatever this is… is bigger than any word in any language. So big. So deep… it"s a little scary.“This is how hearts get broken,” the voice of her insecurity whispered. “What are you planning to do, girl? Spend the night in his arms? And then, tomorrow, go back to work like nothing happened?”

She turned to the window, taking in a deep breath in an attempt to still her pounding heart. Darkness had fallen completely. Wow. It"s almost summer. Days are long. How long have we been sitting here? “I should go home,” she told him, hearing a hint of the regret she felt in her voice. “I don"t want to ruin this by rushing it, and I have a lot to do tomorrow to be ready for my work week on Monday.” But I also really, really don"t want this to end, just in case I wake up and find it was all a dream.

Wow. It"s almost summer. Days are long. How long have we been sitting here?But I also really, really don"t want this to end, just in case I wake up and find it was all a dream.“One more kiss, and then I"ll take you home,” he offered. His devilish grin flashing, making her heart increase its tempo yet again. Her belly fluttered with excitement.

She smiled, cheeks burning as she waited for him to reach for her, but he stayed where he was. He wants me to initiate this kiss, she realized. Do I dare? She licked her lips nervously and ran her fingers up his arm to his shoulder, around his neck, and finally pulled him towards her. Raising her face, she touched her lips softly to his. His fingers laced into her hair, stroking her sensitive scalp as she kissed him. Softly, shyly, she told him without words that she enthusiastically reciprocated his interest.

He wants me to initiate this kiss,Do I dare?Several minutes passed while their mouths played and mated, arousing untapped desires, desires too long left dormant, too long denied. Finally, Selene ended the embrace. “Brandon,” she said seriously, “it would be far too easy to rush this, to move too fast, and later have regrets. We could easily carry on all night, and then where would we be?”

Brandon gave her a wicked look. “Guess.”

She blushed again, looking away.

“I"m kidding,” he said, taking her hand so she could feel his sincerity. “It really is too soon for that, and the last thing I want to do is scare you off. I"ll take you home now.” He squeezed once and stood, still holding her hand to help her to her feet. She could feel his intense satisfaction washing over her in waves of soul-soothing joy.