Page 195 of Sorrow & Strangers

“I’ve never ridden a horse. I’ve also never ridden you, so who knows?”

“Yet.” He chuckles darkly and nips at the tip of my ear, sending a jolt of pleasure through me.

There is a soft knock at the door, and I pull away to answer it, but he catches my hand, stopping me.

“I got it,” he says, moving past me to open the door. He gestures the waiters in with such presence that even at that, I’m weakened. They bustle around the room, quickly setting up the table in front of the window and lighting a candle. I sit on the bed while they work, but my eyes never leave the stranger’s.

They leave quietly with a soft click of the door, and he takes my hand, walking me to the table. The stranger pulls my seat out for me, and I brush my lips over his jaw before I sit down. He is just in a soft pair of sweatpants, and I am in nothing but his shirt. The formalities should feel strange, but somehow, all I feel is cared for and romanced.

He pops a bottle of champagne, and I quirk a brow. “I got it for you,” he says in answer to my silent question.

He fills my glass before pouring himself some scotch. He sits down and lifts his drink, and I clink mine against his in a toast before we both take a long sip.

“I’m very happy you came,” he says, his voice low and full of filthy ­promises.

“Me too.”

“Eat, princess,” he says with a smile, and I have to hold back my eye roll. Everything is a command, and every command he issues makes me want to push back and be punished for doing so.

Resisting the urge because I truly am hungry, I take a bite of the lobster. The decadent richness of the meat soaked in butter melts in my mouth, and I moan. His eyes snap to me, and his gaze goes nearly feral. My cheeks heat, and I flick my tongue over my lips, loving the way he focuses on the movement. He waves his hand, and I yelp in surprise as my chair shifts, dragging across the floor until I’m right beside him, my place setting moving a moment later.

“You were too far,” he rumbles, placing his hand on my thigh and using his other to eat, the show of possession making my core tighten again.

Fuck, how am I going to do this for a whole weekend?

Chapter Eighty-Three

Summer

We eat in comfortable silence, his thumb brushing over my thigh every few moments. Every time it does, my skin tingles and I have to resist the urge to jump his fucking bones. I don’t know where I get the will, but I keep myself in my chair and finish my meal, wiping my face with a napkin softer than the sheets on the bed.

“Are you ready for your surprise?” he asks, gently squeezing my thigh.

I nod. “Do I need to change?” The likelihood is high, given that I am currently wearing his shirt and nothing else.

He waves his hand, and my bikini from earlier lands in front of me. I frown, looking at it and then back up at him with an arched brow.

“I like it a lot, and we’re going to the beach,” he says with a slight shrug and a charming half grin.

I roll my eyes but can’t help my little smirk as I pick it up and head to the bathroom to change. Somehow, in the time since I took it off in my suite, the bikini has been cleaned. It is in such pristine condition that I wonder if it is the same one. Looking closer, I think this one has more beads and crystals attached to it. With a small shrug, I tie the cover-up around my waist and leave the bathroom. As has happened every time I’ve entered a room where he is present, all his focus snaps to me, as if I am his only concern, the only thing that exists in his world. His eyes darken, and he prowls toward me like a huge, dangerous, beautiful predator that I ache to have devour me.

“Fucking breathtaking,” he says, brushing his hand from my hip up to the curve of my bare waist. His hand tightens as if trying to get himself in check. “Let’s go before they migrate.”

“Migrate?”

He flashes me a wicked smile before wrapping his arm around me and leading me from the room. We walk until we are past the resort’s bound­aries, to a secluded beach that looks completely untouched. The moon casts a silvery glow over the powdery sand, and stars glitter above us, reflecting off the water like jewels. The stranger releases my hand and steps to the edge of the crystal-clear water, the gently rolling waves lapping at his feet. I watch as he lets out a short, sharp whistle.

Nothing happens for a moment, but then the water right in front of him ripples, and the top of a glowing blue head breaches the surface, looking at us with solid black eyes. At first, the creature doesn’t move closer, but then it rises a little more, showing a long snout. What used to be a large flipper turns into legs. It sniffs in our direction, and then it starts to advance, standing almost as tall as the stranger. He holds his hand out to the water horse, and it stretches its neck to sniff him cautiously before moving forward. The stranger looks back at me and holds his free hand out. I take his hand and warily move closer, but I can’t help the bright smile that curves my lips when the kelpie nickers softly at me. The stranger makes a clicking sound, and the kelpie bobs its head before looking at me.

“You can pet him,” the stranger says.

I blink at him.

“Go on, you are safe with me, princess.”

I search his eyes, able to feel the truth of those words deep in my bones. I am safe with him. Tightening my hold on his, I let go and step closer to the beast, reaching out. The kelpie studies me for just a moment before pressing his muzzle against my open hand, snuffling softly. I giggle, the wet velvet of his nose tickling my palm. The kelpie nudges me, and I stroke a gentle hand along his jaw, my eyes wide with wonder. He leans into my touch and rumbles, the sound similar to a purr, only smoother. The stranger steps closer to me, and the kelpie shifts in response, nudging at the stranger’s chest with his nose, pushing him away so he can glide between us. I laugh and stroke a firmer touch down the silky-smooth coat of his neck, completely unalarmed. This beautiful creature has a kind, playful energy, and I know he means neither of us any harm.

“He seems to like you,” the stranger huffs.