“I can't forget the shape of him—” The possessive bonding glow flared in his narrowed eyes. Eve’s heart fluttered, but she pushed on. “The feel of his muscles, the width of his torso, the color of his eyes, and especially the curve of his lips…” Unable to contain her smile, she let her gaze drift over him. “You’d make a good model. A difficult one for sure, since you're never still for very long, but an excellent subject with that sexy body.”
Tossing that last bit in, she yanked free and beat a fast track from him, except she didn’t get far when he swept her off her feet. Startled laughter escaped her. He dumped her ass on the table.
“You think to taunt me?” He braced his hands on either side of her hips, caging her, and pushed that gorgeous face in front of hers.
“No. I would never do that.” She stroked his jawline, her expression tender. “I couldn’t tell you how much of an impact you’d made in my life. Or that I was falling in love with you, so, I started this.”
“Eve.” Reverence in that single word. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. “You undo me. Only you.”
One more evil to get rid of, she thought grimly. She would find a way to free him from Inanna.
“Would you do something for me?” she asked, stroking his sensual bottom lip. Then her gaze locked on the puckered skin of her finger against his perfect mouth. Grimacing, she dropped her hand. He simply brought it back and kissed her finger. “Don’t do that, Eve, I'm crazy about you—every bit of you. What is it that you want?”
“Echo invited us to the castle.”
He went dead still. Those night-sky eyes slitted dangerously. “I told you to leave it alone.”
She lifted her chin. “So you did. Reynner, you can't live with the guilt that eats at you forever. Either we go together, or I’ll just drive there on my own since she invited us and I'm not turning her down last minute.”
His expression hardened as her meaning became clear. “You think to blackmail me?”
“Blackmail? Me?” She blinked innocently then added, “No, I would never do that to you. I love you, you stubborn man. It’s why I do this.” She kissed him, hopped off the table, and headed back to her work. “We leave at two.”
***
The long drive to the island just off Manhasset Bay was undertaken in thick silence. If she wanted to touch him, she’d probably have to wade through it first, Eve thought in wry amusement.
The dark shades Reynner wore shielded his eyes. He appeared unapproachable, his hair tied in a smooth, stubby ponytail revealing the stark line of his gorgeous face. But she saw more. She saw past the facade of his beauty. Saw the unyielding set to his jaw, the clenched hands and white knuckles. And the fact that he had yet to crack a smile or look at her.
As they crossed the bridge over the Sounds to the island, she looked through her window at the deep blue sea beneath them. Her hands felt too stiff. She curled and uncurled her fingers, trying to ease the tautness in her hands.
“Does it hurt?”
She turned. He’d lost that closed-off expression. A relieved smile curved her mouth. “It’s all right. I'm used to it.”
Warm hand covered hers on her lap and squeezed. She laced her fingers with his.
Moments later, they left the bridge behind. The first sight of the enormous island with its lush vegetation and sheer cliffs on the north side captivated her. Reynner slowed down, and as they approached the huge wrought-iron gates, they swung open.
A winding driveway snaked between the tall trees. Rays of sunlight poured through the canopy of leaves. After several more minutes, suddenly, brilliant light exploded around them as they left the trees behind. Eve shaded her eyes with her hand.
A rolling vista of manicured gardens surrounded them, and the castle came into view. Golden sunlight caressed its somber gray walls, heavy with creeping ivy, and highlighted the turrets.
Eve sighed in appreciation. “Isn’t that the most beautiful building?”
“I thought you liked my aerie.” Droll words.
“Ifelloffyour aerie,” she snorted.
“Never again. I had railings installed.”
“Don’t forget to put in stairs, I want to be able to visit the falls.”
“In a mountain? Why not an elevator?”
“Super idea. Now why didn’t I think of that?” She hid her smile, aware of the responding one tugging his mouth as he let go of her hand and brought the Porsche to a halt.
The enormous front door opened. Echo and Aethan walked out.
