Sylvia rested her forehead against the coolness of the window as she gazed out at the seemingly endless night. The stars twinkled through her reflection, mocking her own melancholy mood.

What had seemed like the dream assignment, the culmination of all her professional aspirations, was rapidly becoming her worst nightmare.

All because of him.

She finally had the opportunity to participate in crucial scientific experiments, but instead of concentrating on her job she found herself concentrating far too much on Roger.

The object of her musings sat less than ten feet away, busily engaged in front of the computer monitor. His rapid fire clicking on the keyboard drew her attention.

Glancing at his profile, she sucked in a breath at the heat that immediately formed in the pit of her stomach. Just the sight of him caused this reaction every time. Her temperature fluctuations would probably drive a doctor to drink.

He was a vision of a man with all the right stuff. A lock of his rich brown hair tumbled down his brow. A faint hint of stubble darkened his chin; mahogany eyes danced in the pale glow given off by the monitor.

As she watched, he let out a deep breath and pushed his chair back.

"Finished!" He laughed and shook his head. "I didn't think I'd ever get those calculations done. I am no mathematical whiz like you." Standing, he stretched, his muscles straining the fabric across his shoulders.

Sylvia tensed, imagining the feel of that taut physique beneath her exploring hands.

His fingers massaged the back of his neck, and she wished it were her neck, her skin, feeling his touch. "I don't know how much more I can take of this," she muttered.

"Yeah, these late nights are getting a little rough." His eyes met hers for a moment and then he glanced away. "Hey, I know what we both need! A brisk walk!"

A few steps brought him next to her position at the wide window. "Admiring those stars, eh? They take my breath away every time I see them."

"Yeah, I, uh, know the feeling." She inhaled his crisp, clean scent, and struggled to keep from taking deep heady gulps.

"It's gorgeous out there." Waggling his eyebrows, he grinned down at her. "Whaddyasay? Wanna take a walk by the light of the silvery moon?"

How like him. He would offer the most romantic suggestions. But his smile seemed to say, "we're just friends."

For another six months, she and he would be alone here together, observing, studying, and reporting back their findings. And somehow, she didn't think the bosses wanted her observations of the effects of unrequited love on a scientist's ability to do her job. That kind of data was a little too personal.

But she really could not resist a moonlight walk with him at her side.

"Sure, why not." She forced the eagerness out of her voice as she answered. She couldn't bear it if he ever found out about how much he attracted her. It would surely strain their camaraderie if he knew he starred in her wildest fantasies.

Working with him after that would be impossible.

Almost as impossible as not working with him.

They pulled on their outer gear silently, then went outside. Without speaking, they both headed for a rocky ledge that had become a favorite spot for meditation and observation. Stillness enveloped them as they trekked across the unforgiving landscape.

It had been more than six weeks since Sylvia had first seen it, but she could still barely believe the harsh yet dramatic scene. The profiles of outcroppings were silhouetted against the deep blue-black of the universe that surrounded them. The moon glowed brightly, it craggy surface fully revealed in all its beauty.

"You never get used to it, do you?" Roger spoke the words with reverence.

"It's incredibly romantic." Damn! The words left her mouth before she could stop them. Now he'd think she was a total sap.

"Yes, it is."

Nervously, she glanced his way, fearing she'd see a mocking smirk pasted on his face. Instead she saw a trace of a smile, matched with a tender look.

Or was that just wishful thinking?

She attempted to recover. Pulling her best schoolteacher's tone out of her hat, she intoned, "You know, the moon has inspired a large number of romantic poems and stories. Songs, too. It is really quite interesting, the way the moon has contributed to cult --," she broke off as Roger suddenly took her gloved hand in both of his.