AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’m saved from saying more when we join her family around a front-facing circular table with a U-shaped booth.
There is a short comedic act to open the night, followed by a female singer with a band. It’s entertaining, but I long to have Leona to myself. As if reading my thoughts, she takes my hand.
Across the table, Derek stares for long stretches. I meet his awkward gaze. Maybe Leona is right. There might be some other reason for her new brother-in-law’s interest. Though, I can’t imagine what it would be.
Seven
Leona
My parents say good night and go upstairs as soon as the show is over.
Without so much as a look, Melony and Derek head to the bar. It’s rude, even for them. But they look like they’re arguing and since they only got married yesterday morning, it doesn’t bode well for a long, happy marriage.
Hand in hand, Cade and I walk toward the front doors of the resort. “Are you starting to worry about who it was that darted you?”
He tucks my hair behind my ear. “I have been concerned since the event.”
“Really? You seem unbothered.” How do I ask him to come to my room or take me home with him?
Pressing my palm to the center of his chest, he looks into my eyes, and the swirl of gold that is the monster inside him glows. “Your presence is more important than anything else, but I will need to discover who attacked me.”
His heart beats under my fingers, steady and true. My body responds to the man and the beast. “Is that something you’re going to work on tonight?”
“Not tonight.” His voice is low and gravelly, and he breathes in deeply. “Is there something you want from me tonight, little lioness?”
Asking a man to come to my bed is not something I’m comfortable with. Honestly, I’ve never done it. I’ve been invited. It’s happened naturally, like it did at Cade’s house. I have to swallow several times, then I lean in close. “Do you want to come to my room?”
“More than anything.” There’s no mistaking the beast in his deep voice.
Lord help me, but I want that monster as much as the man. We go to the elevator and once we’re alone inside, I ask the question that’s been nagging me since the afternoon. “Will you ever show me the manticore again?”
In an instant, he pins me to the elevator wall. “I want you to see and have all of me, Leona. Though I’m not sure a hotel room is the best place for that.”
“I’m here for another full day and night. Maybe tomorrow?” Did I just offer him sex tomorrow after asking him to stay with me tonight? I barely recognize myself. As big as he is, his beast is bigger and stronger, and yet, I have no fear of either of them.
His smile is wicked, and he leans in close.
The bell for the door opening sounds, and he eases back and holds the door from closing again while I step out into the hallway. At the door to my room, I fumble with the key card nervously.
He steadies my hand by wrapping his around mine. “You know, I’ll understand if you want me to go home tonight.”
Oh god, I’ve turned him off. “I’m sorry. If you don’t want to come in, you should go. I know my nerves can be a turnoff.”
He takes the card from my hand and unlocks the door. I step inside, expecting him to say goodnight, but he walks in behind me. “Nothing about you could ever alter my desire, Leona. I only wanted to give you the option of sending me home because you’re clearly nervous, though there is no reason to be.”
I sit heavily on the bed. “I know. You’re wonderful. I don’t know why I always expect everyone to disappoint me.”
Kneeling in front of me, he takes my hands. “I can think of several reasons why you would be cautious. However, I’m never going to hurt you. Tell me what I can do to convince you of that?”
My mind reels for a response. I have no idea how anyone would prove they won’t hurt me. I’ve had so little experience with anyone being honest and true in my life. When I saw the manticore in the woods, I was afraid, but there was something wholesome in his eyes. Then he turned into a man, and I felt betrayed, strangely. Men have never been trustworthy in my world. “I’d like to see your beast. Something about you in that form was…” I don’t know how to explain it to him without offending him. “Vulnerable.”
“He and I are the same, you know. I am that monster, and he is me.” He kisses my hands.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to change into the manticore in front of me. I imagine being stuck in that form has made you wary.” I think about all the things that Derek kept from me. Secret phone calls and texts. Business deals he couldn’t talk about. He never shared anything. “Maybe you could tell me more about your work.”
Standing, Cade walks to the sliding door and out onto the small veranda. He looks at the trees and the lake off to the left. Stepping back into my room, he takes off his jacket, and toes off his shoes and waits, staring at me.
“Do you want me to undress?” I stand up.
