Set against a wall was a huge, canopied bed with gossamer, tied-back cream drapes, and an enormous seashell headboard. A deep green chaise lounge with cream and gray cushions piled on it took up space near tall windows overlooking a balcony. Outside, a tangle of navy vines clambered over the balustrade, facing a stunning vista of landscaped gardens and the calm gray-blue sea beyond.
“Kudos to whoever did the décor.”
“Mymateriwould have been pleased to hear that.”
While his mien remained even, Leya sensed more, especially after witnessing his raw pain back in the stone cottage. As an empath, his missing folks must affect him deeply.
“Where’s the bathroom?” She changed the conversation. Later, if he wanted to, he could tell her.
“There.” He nodded to the far side of the room.
She saw nothing but a wall with carved crown moldings resembling shells.
“Behind the wall.” Aerén crossed to it and indicated the seamless, overlapping walls. “It’s there, the door at the end.”
Wow, hidden doors. Nice bit of architecture.
“The dressing room is somewhere…” Brow furrowed, he headed back to the bedroom, to the wall with a floor-to-ceiling mural of a lake, and pressed his palm on the surface. The mural moved, revealing the entrance to a plush dressing room.
Leya followed him, taking in the delicate pastel clothes hanging on the rails. The sight was enough for her stomach to heave, as if lead had settled in there.
Did she really think someone like him would be without a woman?
Obviously, they must have broken up, because she didn’t think he would have given her this room, or even made love to her, if he were with someone else.
“Wear anything you like. Mymateriwouldn’t mind.”
Her gaze snapped to him. “Who?”
“My mother. She and my sire sometimes stayed over.”
Then Leya saw the few bits of nearly all-black clothing on the other side of the dressing room. And her heart leaped up from her belly, where it had fallen, and back into her chest.
“This castle was gifted to me at birth, but she saw to its running until she disappeared. I’ll see you shortly for dinner. I need a shower.”
As Aerén walked to the door, a bit of pink sticking out of his jeans pocket caught her attention.Oh, crap!“Wait!”
He turned at the open door, an eyebrow arching.
“Ah, erm…” Heat flooded her face. “You have my underwear. Can I have it back?”
He retrieved her panties from his back pocket. “This?”
She nodded.
“No. You won’t need them.” And the door shut on her, leaving her jaw hitting nearly the floor.
Great, now she had to go commando…like him.
Rolling her eyes, Leya made her way to the shower in the lavish bathroom. As she removed her damp tunic, the stroking sensation of the fabric against her nipples had her mind rushing back to what happened at the stream. She groaned and shut her eyes, her body still hypersensitive.
God knew she wanted him, but she couldn’t afford to get emotionally involved. She just couldn’t. Aerén was too tempting to fight off, but she would go home soon. So, she had to keep her wits about her, even if they ended up in bed.
At the thought of never seeing him again, an abyss opened up inside her…
* * *
A half hour later, with towels wrapped around her body and hair, Leya stepped into the dressing room. The orb lights in the walls brightened, illuminating the vast space and its cupboards, shelves, and wide mirror.
