Page 77 of When Eden Falls

He turned me around, so he could see my face. His dark eyessearched my own, never once glancing down at my curves. “I couldn’t leave you on your own, looking all promiscuous.”

“Promiscuous?” I laughed. “That’s a new one.”

“Your sexy dancing is causing quite a stir with the onlookers.”

“Let them look.”

He smirked, glancing at our spectators. I started dancing again. “So, you have come to dance with me.”

Rooke adjusted his hold on my hips, halting their movement. “I told you; I don’t dance.”

“Maybe you should.” I leaned into him, attempting to loosen his solid stance. But he was having none of it. I straightened up and said in a sultry voice, “Think how many of your lady friends back home would be impressed if you did.”

He continued to dive deep into my eyes, and I returned his gaze with confidence. “How many lady friends do you think I have?”

“You have queues of them, waiting for you to get bored of the current one.”

He looked shocked. “Should I take that as an insult, Miss Riley?”

“No. It’s not your fault you’re so damn fine.”

He grinned widely at that, and I found myself staring at his heavy lower lip.So damn kissable.

“One question…” He tilted his head. “I’ve never really asked you this before, but why haven’t there been any men in Eden’s life over the past couple of years?”

“Hmm…I don’t get time. My boss is a slave driver.”

“That’s complete nonsense. I pretty much baby sit my crew and I still find the time for the ladies.”

“Ha.” I pointed at him. “See, you even admit you’re a Casanova.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “No, I don’t. And you haven’t answered my question.”

I shrugged, dropping his gaze. “You know me. I’m quiet. I’m certainly not a head turner.”

“You’re gorgeous. Why are you avoiding the question?”

Every motion in my body paused. For a moment I forgot to breathe. Even my heart felt like it had stopped for several surreal seconds. Was this my chance to tell him what he meant to me? Was I brave enough to admit the truth? My newly acclaimed confidence convinced me I was. I searched his handsome face, diving back into his mesmerising green eyes. My voice didn’t waver when I said, “Isn’t it obvious?”

I didn’t falter. I remained assured, pouring the emphasis of my words out through my gaze. The obsession to get closer to this man was reaching a new peak. His stare turned solemn, unreadable, and a vulnerability attempted to take root, trying to crush my confidence.

A cheer erupted from the upper veranda, causing us to finally break eye contact. I realised the sound was the Akquarians’ most human attribute yet. I grabbed Rooke’s hand and smiled. “Let’s go see what’s happening.”

Walking to the stone stairs, Rooke adjusted his grip on my hand, intertwining our fingers, palm flush with palm. A new smile swept across my lips. Maybe he’d caught onto what I was implying.

At the top of the stairs, we found a congregation of male Akquarians dominating the balcony space. One was walking towards an entrance to the fortress. He was carrying an unconscious female draped in his arms. A sinister grin danced across his face. Another Akquarian male hurled aggressive words at his back whilst being detained by two other males. There was a sheer rage roiling within him. The grinning male seemed to ignore the abuse and disappeared inside. The angry Akquarian lunged forward, thrashing and snarling. He was clearly disturbed by the action.

Before I could ask Rooke if he knew what was going on, the angry male freed one arm, sending his fist into one of the males holding him back. Within seconds a brawl broke out.

I stepped back, avoiding the impact of a burly Akquarian’selbow. Rooke instantly grabbed my arm and pulled me across the veranda, away from the stairs and the fight.

“I don’t think this is a place for us.” He steered me towards a narrower terrace on the far side. It curved around to the left beyond the fortress wall.

I looked back at the ongoing brawl. “I guess they’re not so different from humans after all.”

Rooke raised an eyebrow. “I certainly wouldn’t want to get in the middle of that.”

“Did you find Oz?” I chuckled. “He may have started it.”