Page 101 of Bite Me

Emma’s smile is radiant. I can’t stop looking at her.

“You look . . . really beautiful, by the way.”

The vault of my mind has been opened, and everything I haven’t allowed myself to feel has become impossible to ignore. All I want to do is keep her locked in here with me for a week, as if nothing else exists, and ask every question I can think of. I want to know everything, from her favorite song to her favorite memory of her mother.

I don’t know whether I’ll get to keep her or this is all a temporary thing, but I’m not going to poke holes in it while I have her. For the first time in my life, I think I’d rather just enjoy this and believe it will work out okay.

She scrunches her nose with an adorable little laugh. “Thank you.”

Just as I lock the door behind me and the wave of ocean air hits me, Luther appears.

“Hey, boss.” His beady gaze is trained on the door. “You seen Emma?”

“No. Why?”

“Just been looking for her all morning. Haven’t seen her. Thought I smelled her this way.”

Grow up with someone, you learn their moods. Luther has received some bad news, judging by his temperament this morning. He even brought his breakfast bacon to gnaw on anxiously during the conversation.

“Maybe she’s walking in the garden.”

He sniffs the air. “Hmm . . . Yeah. Maybe I’ll go look for her.”

I’ve showered off her smell already. He can’t know, but he’s suspicious. I can tell by the way he keeps glancing at the door. What does he want with her?”

“Need help? You seem eager.”

“You know, someone told me last night they saw you two walking toward the garden together.”

“She was drunk, and I helped her back to the kitchen because she was stumbling around the rose bushes.”

Luther is usually easy to lie to. He’s a simple man. But today is different. There’s a reason he’s looking for her, and he doesn’t believe me. I can tell by the shifting of his feet and that smirk he bites back.

But he has no leverage. This is my estate. My guest house. He can’t open the door, no matter how much he wants to.

“Got it. I’ll search the garden.”

“Don’t take too long. I need your help to wrangle everyone to return home.”

“Yes, boss. Whatever you say.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Dacre

With a steaming towel over my head, I lean back against the moonstone tub. A trip to the magical hot springs of Doxlothia was my first stop upon my return. We got back late, and Emma said she wasn’t feeling well after all, so she decided to rest when we arrived.

It’s okay. I need to clear my mind, and the springs are said to be able to cure you from near death. The murky emerald water is filled with sacred salts that are a naturally occurring source of magic, similar to those found in gems and crystals.

As I ease further into the water, the sound of footsteps approaching signals the end of my short lived attempt at relaxation.

Parker Owens is standing next to the water in his swim shorts, with a towel in one hand. His chest is covered in large scars, as well as a few fresh cuts oozing red. None of it is more prominent than that beaming smile on his face.

“I thought you said you wanted to meet today.”

“No, fuck. The meeting is tomorrow.” I figured I’d have at least one night of peace alone to think before involving Emma’s family in my family mess.

“Shit. My bad.” He drops his towel, easing into the water next to me. “Why are you always so angry?”