It’s a devious question—one to which he already knows the answer.
“Pax is the last man I want to go back to.” Speaking the monster’s name is a harsh reminder of the terrifying scenarios I could be going through right now if I were still on Zodiac Island. Instead of preparing to leave with Liam for parts unknown, I’d be subjected to unfathomable horrors at the unmerciful whim of the dungeon’s keeper.
I hide a shudder at the thought. Although I’m not happy about the position Liam’s forced me into, I can’t deny I’d rather be with him instead of Pax.
Liam tugs a baseball cap over his copper hair, and a terse knock sounds on the door, prompting him to grab the handle of the duffle bag he packed an hour ago.
“Ready?” he asks, pushing his glasses higher onto the bridge of his nose. It’s part of his disguise—the hat, jeans, clean-shaven face, and those glasses he doesn’t need for the purpose of improved vision. I’m amazed how such a simple change can transform someone’s appearance.
Inhaling a nervous breath, I take his hand and exit into the hall on his heels. It’s the first time we’ve ventured out of the cabin in over two weeks, and my head swims with the sudden activity flourishing around us. Crewmen pass without acknowledgment, too busy with their jobs to pay attention to civilian passengers.
I keep my head down, peeking through my fake bangs as Liam’s mysterious contact leads us through a labyrinth of halls until we’re exiting into the hot and humid air. After an arduous walk off of the docks, we’re escorted into a waiting SUV, the windows tinted for privacy and the air conditioner on full blast. The man behind the wheel doesn’t give us a single glance. He just drives—without instruction. For the next six hours, the air teems with nervous energy. Liam has his guard on high alert, his muscles in a constant state of fight-or-flight. We only stop once for food and to use the restroom.
After the sun sets, a speedboat takes us the rest of the way. I’ve reached critical mass—emotionally and physically exhausted from the long day of travel in the humidity—and as Liam ushers me onto the private island he obtained in secret, I don’t have the strength to fend off the hand he places at the small of my back. He leads me up a sandy path toward a bungalow nestled in a backdrop of majestic bluffs. A half moon hangs in the sky, illuminating the area in surreal wonder.
I catch a familiar whiff of plumeria. “How far south did we travel?”
“Far enough to not worry about cold weather.”
“You still won’t tell me where we are?”
“We’re off the coast of South America.”
Well that’s a broad answer, and one I’d already guessed, but at least it’s progress.
“Are we near other islands?”
“Yes. I’ve hired someone to bring supplies when we need them.” With a gentle push, he urges me up a wide staircase and onto a wraparound deck. “And as you know, we’re not far from the mainland.” Giving me a pointed look, he opens the front door. “However, the island is completely private. Not another soul on it, my sweet girl.”
There’s an underlying threat in that promise, driving home the fact that I’m at his mercy. But there’s also a sense of sanctuary in those words, because with Liam, I’m safe.
Flicking on a light, he drops our sparse luggage by the door. “I know it’s not as luxurious as you’re used to, but it’s completely isolated.” He reaches out and palms my cheek. “We’re free to be ourselves here.”
Under the rim of his cap, I spy truth in his gaze. He believes every word. Part of me wants to yank that hat off and get a better glimpse of those warm, caring eyes.
Instead, I pull off my wig. “It’s been a long day. Can you show me to my room, please?” I just want to crawl into a comfortable bed and sleep for a week.
Clearing his throat, he picks up the duffle bag and gestures toward a short hall on the left. But at the end, there’s only one door...and one bed.
“Is there another bedroom?”
He shakes his head. “I intend to marry you, and that doesn’t include sleeping in separate quarters.”
“You said you would wait.” Nervousness loops my words together, resulting in a mantra that won’t quit.
“I’ve had to wait five months since you left the House of Aries. I can wait a while longer, but until then, I want to be close to you.”
“Because you don’t trust me?”
He frowns. “I’ll trust you more once you’ve made a decision.” Dropping the duffle, he steps closer, eating up the inches between us. “Until that time comes, I plan to keep you very close to me.” His chest grazes the tips of my breasts, setting off a shiver deep in my bones.
“You’re touching me,” I say, breathless.
“This isn’t touching.” Placing a hand on the wall, he leans in, his hooded gaze full of longing. “Trust me, my sweet girl. You’ll know when I’m touching you.”
And that’s when I can no longer deny that I want him. The need snuck up on me in the way spring gradually shifted into summer on Zodiac Island. It’s a subtle but consistent awareness that it exists whenever Liam gets too close.
It being a twinge. A quick, heart-skipping throb between my legs—one that I shoved down to lie dormant until suddenly…
It’s not dormant anymore. That twinge flares and erupts, refusing to be denied.
Every time his hand brushes my back.
Every time the spicy scent of his skin reaches my nostrils.
That’s when the twinge breaks into the most sacred and intimate parts of my soul.
“I can see it all over your face.” His voice deepens, reminding me of the authoritarian lurking in the power of his hands. “You want me, Novalee.”
I can’t argue with him, can’t even pretend to hide behind a facade of fear…even though fear should be a natural response to someone beholding the trait of tyranny.
But I’m not afraid. I’m ashamedly aroused.
My heart breaks at the realization, guilt and sorrow fracturing me down the middle. I thought my heart made its choice, and maybe it did, but my body feels differently. The intense moment snaps, and Liam backs away, allowing me a sigh of relief.
A reprieve until the next time he corners me in the trap of his desire.
“We should get some sleep,” he says, turning down the covers. “Tomorrow, I have plans for you.”
“What kind of plans?”
“The kind you’ll need a good night’s rest for.”
So cryptic and vague.
And it’s such a Liam Castle type of answer.
5
White sand beaches, cobalt skies, and a gorgeous half-naked man glistening in the sun. If I know nothing else about this isolated oasis, I can’t fault the views.
Any of them.
“Are we almost there?” I ask as sweat drips between my breasts. We’ve been hiking for the past two hours under the blazing sun.
“A few more minutes.” With an excited smile, Liam helps me over the root of a rugged tree. “The hike will be worth it, trust me.”
As we descend between mountainous rocks and thick vegetation, my cotton shorts stick to my skin, and I begin day-dreaming about a long shower to wash off the hot trek. No sooner than the thought enters my head do I detect the roar of rushing water. We appear at the mouth of a clearing.