This last rule was in some ways the hardest. With every kiss and every touch, we shaped a future out of wishes and longing. I didn't want to destroy that life before it had begun, but in thirteen days I would be facing off with the most powerful people I'd ever met. I might not live through the night. If I did, I'd likely never be the same again. These rules existed to protect us both.
He sat in silence so long that I worried I'd ruined things already.
Through the window, a family of deer crossed the dewy lawn, stopping to stare in at us. I wondered what they thought of these strange creatures locked in glass and wooden boxes, viewing the world through their self-imposed prisons.
Derek brushed a loose hair from my face. "If you need these rules to feel safe with me, then I'll honor them. But I'm not going to lie to you, Rose. I want more than stolen kisses and fleeting emotions. I never thought any woman could lure me from my vagabond life, but you have, and I'm not giving you up without a fight."
EIGHTEEN
That I Might Touch
DEREK
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand.
O that I were a glove upon that hand
That I might touch that cheek!
— William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
I'D SURPRISED MYSELF with my bold declaration, but I'd meant what I'd said. I wouldn't give her up without a fight. I hadn't worked out what that would mean for my future, and maybe I wasn't quite ready to sort out those details, but whatever my future entailed, I knew Rose was a part of it.
As the sky outside burned bright with the dying rays of a setting sun, I held her, content to listen to the steady rhythm of her breath and imagine what fantasies floated around in her mind as she gazed at the fire.
The occasional hitch in her pulse told of unspoken fears, and yet I sat on the outside of her nightmares, a mere spectator of the aftereffects. She clearly hoped her rules would protect her. She didn't understand that I too would offer up my life in her defense. Whatever she feared, whatever dark turn the future foretold for her, I'd be by her side.
But her last rule did buy me time to talk with my family and figure out the best way to tell her my secret. I'd take her to the rose garden and let her feel the power that my family guarded. Then I'd show her my other form, and pray that she could take in all that I offered.
My father had found a woman who could embrace our life as her own, who chose to take the magic in and become a shifter. Surely other such women existed. Surely Rose was one of them.
She had to be, or none of this made any sense and fate was just a cruel heartless bitch punishing people for the fun of it.
A surge of power infused me as the waning moon rose high in the sky.
She shifted in my arms and stretched. Outside snow like powdered sugar fell to the ground, clinging to the grass and bushes as winter settled in around us.
"What would you like to do tonight, Rose?"
She glanced outside, toward the hot tub. My cock hardened at just the thought of being submerged in hot water with her near-naked body.
"Want to go for a dip?" she asked.
"It's cold out." Not that I wanted to dissuade her. God, no. But I had to at least act the gentlemen.
"That's my favorite time to go. When it's cold and snow is falling. The warmth of the water and chill of the air are at odds with each other. Seemingly opposite elements, yet they balance each other, creating a perfect environment for enjoying the evening."
"Beautifully put. You brought a suit?" Say no. Please say no so we can skinny dip.
"Yes. At least, I'm pretty sure I did. Ocean did most of the packing."
If not naked, then a swimsuit Ocean would have packed would be the next best thing. "Let's go change. I can use the hall bathroom if you want to use the bedroom."
We hadn't talked about who would sleep where, but I'd put all of our luggage in the master suite. I didn't want to bring it up for fear of jinxing my chance to land in bed with her organically, even if it was to be a chaste affair.
I needn't have worried about whether her bathing suit would be sexy. When she came downstairs she had a towel wrapped tightly around her, but what little I could see convinced me I'd have to thank Ocean when this was over. For my part, I had the standard guy trunks. I wondered if woman had a preference for what was sexiest? Surely they didn't think speedos were a big turn-on. I'd have to remember to ask Tammy sometime.
"Ready to go outside?"
She braced herself and nodded.
When I opened the door, a gust of cold air blew in, sending goosebumps up both of our arms.
We half ran, half walked to the hot tub, and I pulled the cover off, revealing a pool full of steaming water. I turned the bubbles and lights on and offered her my hand. "Ladies first."
She looked down at herself, and without raising her eyes, dropped her towel on the chair next to her.