His eyes hold mine for a moment and I can't help but get lost in the vivid colours of them. His face is so rugged and handsome.
I can feel the tension between us. The way his gaze lingers, how attentive he is. If life were simpler I would let myself see where this could go. Part of me wishes Lukas was my fate andnot Alistair. Lukas is kind, protective and sincere. If my life is at the ranch like my father says then sharing that life with Lukas would make sense. Nothing is ever simple and easy. Then again I've never been one to believe in fate. What about free will?
I sip my glass as he unloads the truck and sets out two beds under the sky. He lays out some lunch on a small fold away table. Sandwiches, fruit and some chocolate chip shortbread. I sit down with him and he refills our glasses. We eat and talk for a while as we take in the magnificent scenery. I can't wait to get in one of the pools. The waters are crystal clear and the steam is circling around in the much cooler air. This entire situation is so intimate. The wine, the scenery, the fact that it's just the two of us.
I finish my glass and stand.
“I'm gonna go change.” I say. Not that there is anywhere particularly out of view.
“No worries your bag is on the back seat.” He replies.
I go round to the other side of the car and pull out my emerald green two piece. It has copper embellishments and the bottoms are more of a thong. Thankfully the champagne is giving me a boost of liquid courage. I peep through the car window and see Lukas sitting with his back to me and he's already topped up both our glasses. I quickly strip and put on my bikini. Grabbing a towel I walk past Lukas to the pool right in front of him. I place my towel nearby and begin to tie my hair up in a messy bun. I turn round to look at him as I do and see his eyes darken with intensity. I give him a small sultry smile before stepping down into the hot water. I stand waist deep and swirl my hands over the surface.
“This is so nice!” I breath. “I didn't realise how much I needed this till now.”
Lukas comes over with our glasses and passes me mine as he gets in.
His body is exquisite. Broad, powerful shoulders, muscular arms. His chest hair enhances his rippling pectorals. My eyes follow the trail of light coloured hair to his rock hard abs then lower still as it forms a line into the waist band of his trunks. With that distinct V shape on the inside of his hips.
My heart beats faster as I struggle to bring my gaze back to his.
“It's the perfect place to get away to relax and re-energise.” He says in that rough, husky voice that always has that soft soothing undertone.
We sit down next to each other. The water comes up to my shoulders and already I can feel the water nourishing my body.
“Not bad for a first date.” He says with a smile.
“Oh is that what this is?” I ask mocking surprise. “There's me thinking this was my dad’s ploy to get us out the house so him and my mum can have the place to themselves.”
“Carter has many grand ideas and this is certainly one of them. For more reasons than one.” He watches me waiting for my reaction.
“His daughter and his Beta would be quite the match.” I ponder over my glass. “It's weird how things work here sometimes. From what I've seen of my friends dads growing up is that they never get involved in their daughters love lives. Except to scare away boys they don't think are good enough. Which tends to be all of them.”
He chuckles.
“Pack alphas work differently. The Alpha wants to see their children with a Mate that would be a suitable leader for the future of the pack. Your parents don't have a son so as Beta I'm being trained for the role of Alpha.”
“And when I meet the person whom I share a Moira bond with? What then?” I stare at the water as I ask.
He sighs and shrugs. “That would be for you to decide. I'm not gonna lie. When you first got here I hoped that I would be it. The way my wolf reacted to seeing you. Your scent. It drove me wild. I'd never felt something that strong before and part of me thought that it was because we were fated. When you never gave me any inclination that you felt the same way and there was no connection in our minds I pulled away.” He rubs his face thoughtfully. “But it could be hundreds of years till you meet your fated. I've heard some Nymphs never have.”
I take a deep breath and I think about telling him the truth. I want to. But shouldn't my Dad know first? By the Gods! I don't know what to do!
Lukas cups the side of my face softly and tilts my head to look at him.
“I can see you warring with yourself. I know we don't have a Moira bond but wehavesomething. I know I'm not the only one that feels it. Don't worry about if and when fate will come along. I want you and I know you want me to.”
“Aren't we just setting ourselves up to get hurt when fate does come?” I say softly as I turn myself into him. My leg brushing over his as my hand slides up his muscular torso.
“Maybe.” He breaths as his hand moves along my thigh and pulls me closer to him. “But every instinct I have wants to make you mine.” He growls the last word as he kisses me.
I kiss him back and the only thing I feel is guilt. I don't want to continue living a lie. I care about Lukas and he's so... perfect. He deserves someone that doesn't keep anything from him.
His tongue brushes along my lip and I can't help but open myself to him. The kiss deepens and the guilt turns to warmth and arousal. His taste. His touch. His hands pulling me against him.
“Lukas I don't think-”
His lips move to my neck and I shudder against him.
