Page 16 of Seas the Day
What do you want, Navira?she asked herself, watching the alien waves crash against the pale yellow sand.
The answer came without hesitation.
That ocean. And maybe, just maybe, the man who brought me here.
The realization should have terrified her. Instead, it felt like the first honest thing she’d acknowledged in years.
An hour later, Navira stood before the ornate mirror in her guest suite, smoothing her hands over the flowing fabric of a yellow sundress she’d impulsively pulled from her suitcase. The soft material hugged her curves in all the right places before flaring out around her thighs, and the warm golden color made her blue eyes pop with startling intensity.
What are you doing?she asked her reflection.You literally told him no romance an hour ago.
But even as her rational mind protested, she couldn’t deny the flutter of anticipation in her chest. Something about this place—or maybe something about him—made Navira want to shed the practical armor she’d worn for the past five years. Made her want to feel beautiful and feminine and alive again.
It’s just lunch,she told herself, applying a touch of lip gloss that made her mouth look soft and inviting.You’re being a good guest. That’s all.
The lie felt hollow, especially when she caught herself checking her reflection one more time before heading for the door.
The corridors of Thalric’s estate felt different now that she wasn’t being led through them like a confused tourist. She found herself noticing details she’d missed before—the way the afternoon light streaming through the windows caught the subtle patterns in the marble floors, the artistry of the tapestries that seemed to tell stories in threads of silver and blue. Everything about this place spoke of wealth and power, but also of careful attention to beauty.
Following the main staircase down to the ground floor, she located the dining room without difficulty. The oak doors stood slightly ajar, and she could see warm light spilling through thegap. Taking a steadying breath, she pushed them open and stepped inside.
The dining room was as magnificent as the rest of the estate—soaring ceilings, elegant chandeliers, and a long table that could easily seat twenty people. But her attention immediately zeroed in on the man waiting at the head of that table.
Thalric rose the moment she entered, and the simple courtesy of the gesture sent warmth spiraling through her chest. He’d changed from his earlier formal attire into dark slacks and a blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms. The casual look should have made him seem more approachable, but instead it only emphasized the raw power contained in his lean frame.
As she moved closer, she watched his eyes darken with unmistakable desire. The hunger in his gaze was so intense it made her breath catch, and she felt an answering heat bloom low in her belly despite her best efforts to remain unaffected.
Stop looking at me like that,she thought desperately, even as part of her preened under his obvious appreciation.You’re making this so much harder.
When she reached the table, he moved with fluid grace to pull out the chair to his right, his fingers brushing against the back of her arms as she settled into the seat. The brief contact sent electricity racing along her nerve endings, and she had to bite back a soft gasp at the intensity of her reaction.
“Thank you,” she managed, her voice coming out slightly breathless.
“My pleasure,” he replied, his deep voice carrying undertones that made the simple words sound like a promise.
He pushed her chair in with gentle care, his hands lingering for just a moment longer than necessary before he returned to his own seat.
Get it together,she commanded herself, smoothing the yellow fabric of her dress.You’re a grown woman who can handle having lunch with an attractive man without losing her mind.
But the pep talk felt futile when that attractive man was looking at her like she was the most fascinating thing he’d ever encountered.
He’s just your host and you’re just a guest here. Nothing more.
But even as she thought it, she couldn’t ignore the way her body seemed to gravitate toward his despite her efforts to maintain professional distance. The mate thing he’d mentioned might be something she didn’t understand, but the pull between them was undeniably real and getting stronger by the minute.
A chef appeared as if summoned, presenting two plates that made Navira’s mouth water instantly. The Nova Auroran cuisine looked nothing like anything she’d ever seen—delicate proteins that seemed to shimmer with their own light, vegetables in shades that didn’t exist on Earth, and sauces that smelled like ocean breezes and exotic spices.
“This looks incredible,” she said, inhaling the rich aromas as the chef retreated with a respectful bow.
“I hope you enjoy it,” Thalric replied, and she caught the note of pride in his voice that suggested her approval mattered to him.
The first bite was a revelation—flavors that danced across her tongue in perfect harmony, textures that ranged from silk-smooth to delightfully crisp.
“Wow,” she breathed between bites, “this is amazing.”
She looked up to find him watching her with an expression of deep satisfaction, as if her enjoyment of the meal he’d provided gave him genuine pleasure. The burning intensity of his focus made her skin flush with warmth, and she had to look away.
“I’m glad you’re settling in,” he said quietly, “after our... difficult introduction earlier.”
