by Kailin Gow
The moment we entered the mansion, the silence was deafening. No heels clicked along the marble floor of the main foyer, or the hardwood of the staircase. No orders were bellowed, or services beckoned.
“Where is everyone?”
Every time I’d been there the house had been a whirlwind of activity with maids keeping everything sparkling and shining, administrators and advisors roaming the halls with reports and statements, and Governor Seer’s entourage taking care of everything else that needed to be tended to. It was strange having the Governor’s mansion so silent.
“Father and his usual band of friends and cohorts had business to tend to in the Onyx District and I took it upon myself to give the staff a well-deserved night off.”
“Can you really do that?”
“Do you see anyone else here?” he said as he scooped me up and brought me in. “After all, if I want to spend some quality time with the love of my life, I have to make the proper arrangements.”
“I love it when you talk like a responsible adult.”
“Wait until I start to talk like your husband.” He nuzzled into the crook of my neck making me giggle. “I just can’t wait to be carrying you over the threshold with you as my bride.”
I felt the strength of his arms as he easily carried me up the stairs, each step bringing a kiss to my eyes, cheeks, temple and lips.
“I love you,” he said repeatedly.
He tapped his toe against his bedroom door and it swung open. Dark and somber, it lacked the fuss of a girl’s room and didn’t quite hold the trappings of a young adult. Neither lace trim nor tacky poster adorned the masculine room. For a young man, Liam had remarkable taste.
Set in tones that reflected his love of nature, I instantly felt safe and secure amidst the heavy oak furniture. And as he set me down on his huge bed, I knew I belonged. The room was rich and opulent with priceless paintings on the walls and pricy oriental rugs on the floor, yet it had all the warmth to make me feel at home.
“This is what will happen on our wedding night?” I asked.
“Pretty much.” He straightened up and removed his jacket. His white shirt was tight against the breadth of his chest.
I held my breath as he slowly unbuttoned every little button. The skin that was exposed one tantalizing inch at a time was smooth and tightly pulled over his muscular chest. My hands itched to touch him.
As he kicked off his shoes, his eyes stayed on me, making me tingle all over before he even touched me. “What’s more important is what’s going to happen now, right?”
He put his hands on the bed and leaned over me, his lips close to mine, close enough for me to feel his breath. “What is it you desire, Kama?”
He didn’t kiss me, but simply remain excruciatingly close. I wanted to lean up to capture his lips, my desire for him was so strong. “You,” I said in a voice laden with hunger and desire.
“Are you sure?” His eyes teased me.
“Yes.”
“Forever?”
“Forever I’m yours.”
His warm lips, sweet with masculinity and urgent with a desire for more, covered mine with more passion than ever before. My body reacted instantly to him, the need to get closer, feel his body against mine obliterating all other thoughts.
For that suspended moment in time, I had no other thought, not school, not my parents, not even my birthday. The mysterious man with the startling blue eyes and shock of black hair didn’t even enter my mind as the world existed only for Liam.
His hands worked over the fastening of my shirt, slowly revealing more and more of my skin. I should have felt embarrassed, but not a scrupulous thought came to me. My body had taken over, wanting what it wanted.
My skin heated under his touch, coming alive and needing more. When he pressed his body against mine, I knew this was where I wanted to be. His strength intoxicated me as his chest crushed my breasts. Since turning 18, he had grown more serious, more mature.
His hands and mouth worked to create a whirlwind of sensations that my body instinctively reacted to.
My Life’s Plan had to include him. The thought suddenly struck me hard and fast. The thought of living my life without him was unthinkable.
I ran my hands over his back and trailed my fingers over the muscles of his arms. How could I live without Liam and how he made me feel?
“I love you, Kama,” Liam said. “If your Life’s Plan does not include me, I don’t know what I’ll do…”
Chapter 3
The evening was cool and breezy, and the stars in the heavens seemed to shine brighter. Would one of them be my lucky star tonight? Would one grant me the Life’s Plan I wanted?
I returned my gaze to the festivities below. The tiny balcony that jutted out from the corridor near Liam’s room offered me a bird’s eye view of my 18th birthday party. So far it was all I had dreamed of and more.
Liam had put so much effort into ensuring everything was perfect. The food, the music, the delicate little white lights that shimmered in the night air; they were all perfect. He’d even skipped the Arcade’s final game in order to make this a perfect night for me.
He was all I could ever want in my Life’s Plan. I scanned the crowd, looking for him among the many young men who’d come, dressed in their finest. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted him.
The champagne fountain flowed freely for everyone who had attained adult status, and Liam was right there, ensuring everyone had what they needed.
His tuxedo not only fit him well, but it suited his standing, defining just how strong and powerful he was, yet how elegant and debonair he could be. He was to be the Governor of Arcadia when his father stepped down one day. He would be the most powerful person in our world. As though sensing my eyes on him, his gaze came up to meet mine and the dazzling smile he flashed me reminded me of the past week together.
Since our intimate night of romping and playing together, he’d been even more attentive; almost possessive. He’d shown such restraint that night, allowing us both to reach levels of passion we’d never experienced before. Yet he held back, taking control and stopping everything before we went too far. I loved and admired him for that. His respect for me was immense and my respect for him grew with every day.
He was always at my side, reminding me how much he loved me, how important I was to him. We’d become virtually inseparable, and I couldn’t ask for more. Each moment with him was a blessing and I knew just how lucky I was to have him. And tonight was my 18th birthday. I would officially find out if I was to spend my life with him.
I waved, blew him a kiss and turned to make my way back to the crowded patio below.
Though a few guests had arrived late, due to the game, everyone had made it, even Jocelyn and Matthew. I was honored. This would no doubt end up being the social event of the season.
“Great party, Kama,” Tula said. “I love this music.”
I smiled as I reached out to give her a hug. “Thanks so much for coming. I’m happy to see you could make it.”
“Hey, Kama,” another guest called out. “Happy birthday. I’m glad I came right over after the game.”
I thanked him and walked on, my grin as wide as it could be. I sauntered among the guests, thanking, kissing and hugging the people I had come to know so well over the years; the people I had grown up with.
“Oh, Kama,” Gwendolyn said, “you look so fabulous. That’s the perfect dress for the fairy tale princess evening your beau has arranged.”
My hands immediately fluttered over the skirt of my white dress. I’d hesitated before finally deciding upon it. Strapless, with a tight fitting bodice and a-line skirt, it was both elegant in its satin simplicity, yet youthful and fun in the way the skirt played around my legs. I loved it, and Liam had loved it from the very moment he had set eyes on me.
“Kama,” Sarah called as she waved to me from the end of the banquet table. “Over here.”
Hurrying to her side, I wrapped my arms around her and squee
zed her tight. “Sarah,” I gushed. “This is so impressive. You’ve made this party such a success.”
“You deserve it, kiddo.” She kissed my cheek. “And I have to admit, this has been a lot of fun. Maybe I should add party planning to my Life’s Plan. You’ll have to let me plan your upcoming engagement party, Kama. That’ll be a gift from me to you and Liam.”
I kissed her cheek. “I’d love that, Sarah. I wouldn’t want to go through an important event like that without you.” From the moment she’d arrived, she had fluttered about tending to the last minute details, greeting guests, ensuring there was always plenty of food and drink for everyone and setting the tone for the party with her sweet, eloquent and touching toast to me, then being the first one to dance to the music of the live band that played inside the ballroom.
“Hello, my love.” The deep voice groaned in my ear, and while I knew it was Liam, his voice was barely recognizable it was so deep. His huge hands wrapped around my waist, while the heat of his skin penetrated through the satin of my dress, setting the passion in me aflame. “How’s my birthday princess doing?”
I pulled away from Sarah and turned to him. Tall and dashing, he was irresistible and I wanted to simply throw myself into his arms and forget all about the party and the guests. “Oh, Liam. I was just telling Sarah how perfect this whole evening is. You're an angel to have done all this for me.”
He leaned over, and spoke quietly into my ear. “I know how you can show your gratitude.” He grabbed my hand. “Come with me.”
As I walked away, I glanced apologetically at Sarah who grinned her understanding.
Liam easily made his way through the crowd, clearing the way until we had reached the steps of the stone patio. He guided me to the path that led to the garden beyond the fountain.
“I just had to steal a moment alone with you,” he whispered in a hoarse and husky voice.
His hands cupped my cheek and I could feel the passion, right to his fingertips. When his lips covered mine, I was brought back to that night of heated intimacy. I longed to be that close to him again, and with my birthday finally here, and my Life’s Plan close at hand, I would be free to marry him, to spend my nights with him.
“What would I do without you?” I said between kisses. “You're all I think about, Liam.” My hands played over his shoulders and down his strong arms.
“I’ll be here for you, always.” He kissed me again, hard and possessive, as though he feared I’d disappear from his life. “You’ll never want for anything, Kama. Whatever you wish for, I’ll make sure you have it. Whatever it takes to make you happy, I’ll do all I can to make it a reality. You’re my past, present, and future, Kama.”
He wrapped his arms around me, crushing me to his chest and devouring my mouth with his. A thrill shot through my body, electrifying every fiber of my being.
“Liam,” I whispered. As much as I wanted him, I knew that I had to cool things off before they heated up even more. “We have to get back to the party.”
“Not yet,” he whispered.
“Liam!” a female voice called from up the garden path.
He froze, his grip on me tight, his grin regretful.
“Liam, we need you up at the house.”
“Seriously?” he muttered beneath his breath.
A shadow appeared in the glow of the small garden lamps. Her hand on her hips, the female seemed impatient for Liam’s assistance.
“Sarah’s looking for a first aid kit. Alex wanted to toast a little too vigorously and he smashed his glass, cutting Rob’s thumb in the process.”
“It’s down in the cabinet…”
“I think it would be easier if you just came and got it,” she cut in.
“I’ll be right there,” he said, the impatience barely concealed.
When the light tap of high heels hitting pavestones faded into silence, Liam kissed me one last time.
“Don’t move,” he ordered. “I want you to stay right where you are.”
“I promise. I’ll wait for you right here.” I smiled, already anticipating his return.
I watched him walk away, following his silhouette until it finally mingled with that of the darkened trees.
In daylight, it was a spectacular garden, blooming with some of the rarest flowers and most magnificent colors I’d ever seen. But this was my first time strolling the gardens at night. A certain mystique hung over the darkened shadows and dim lights that lit the walkway. It was both eerie and beautiful. My senses were awakened, and while I knew Liam was largely responsible for that, part of it came from simply being here, in this place that I would one day call my home.
I would be loving and tedious in my tending of this lovely garden, bringing in my own sense of color, whimsy and charm. I wanted the flowers to reflect my personality and I wanted fragrances that would waft up to the second floor window of our bedroom, adding sweet scents to our nights of passion.
My attention was drawn to a bush of white roses that glowed in the pale light. Perhaps I would make my whole garden of varying white blossoms. How lovely it was to see them shimmer under the moonlight.
As I reached out to finger the velvet petal, I gasped. Behind the bush was a pair of black leather boots beneath a pair of dark jeans. My gaze was slow and fearful as I looked up to see the raven-haired young man staring at me.
My initial fear settled and was replaced with intrigue. What was he doing here? I had so many questions to ask him, yet all I could do was stare back at him.
His eyes, steel blue and unwavering, held mine with an intensity I’d never seen before. I was tempted to look behind me, so certain I was that his gaze was held by something other than myself. What could he want? Why was he so mysterious?
“Do I know you?” I finally asked. Perhaps he was a student and I had never shared a class with him. Or maybe we grew up in the same district, but never had a chance to meet before. “Have we met somewhere before?”
His gaze didn’t waver, but intensified enough to leave a chill on my skin.
“No, Kama. You don’t know me.” His voice was how I had dreamed it would be – soft, yet deep, confident yet melodious like velvet liquid steel.
“Then how do you know my name? Why is it that you're here… at my birthday party?”
“Happy birthday,” he said with a slight hint of a grin, his voice rumbling through his chest.
A shot of electricity shot through me. How could he do that to me with a mere crook of his lips?
“Thank you…” My voice hung on the word a moment, realizing I didn’t know his name.
“Torrid,” he offered.
“Thank you, Torrid. But that doesn’t explain what you're doing here, or how you know me. I saw you the other day, but when I rushed out to see you, you were gone. And the orchid…” My head was full of questions that wanted desperately to be answered. “Why is it that I feel I know you? That we’ve connected somewhere, somehow before?”
“You’ll understand everything in time. We know all about you and we’ve waited for this moment for a long time. For us, you are the Desired One, Kama.”
I took a step back and noticed the arch of his brow as I did so. I didn’t want to be afraid, but his answer was just too odd. “Who are you? What do you want from me?”
He stepped out of the bushes and came closer, sending me another step back. Although I could defend myself, having taken self-defense for years and am the Captain of my fencing team at school, I was wary of this stranger. He was much larger than I with a muscular well-trained body obviously built for combat. His blue eyes kept my gaze riveted to his. It thrilled and excited me, but I was frightened, too, though I questioned what I feared most; his getting closer or his leaving.
“Don’t fear me, Kama. No harm will come to you.”
“How can I know that to be true?” I asked, not quite believing him. I could smell him, his scent sweet with orchids and musk, exotic, yet familiar. My body leaned forward a moment, drawn to him. I wanted to breathe in mor
e of his scent, to touch his skin. “Who are you then? Why have I never seen you before? Not at school, not at home, nowhere in town…”
He reached out to take my hand as he stepped closer, his hold keeping me from backing away again. He had strong hands that were surprisingly gentle. “I am someone who knows your father.”
“That can’t be,” I whispered. I wanted to believe him, wanted to have that connection with my father, but the thought seemed impossible. “How?”
“You’ll have plenty of time to learn of all that. For now, my only mission is to ensure you're aware of your destiny.”
“My Life’s Plan?”
“No, your true destiny is not the Life Plan you’ll receive.”
For the first time since seeing him, his gaze shifted away from my eyes to just over my shoulder. In the distance I could make out the faint sound of light footsteps and knew Liam was returning from the house.
Torrid’s gaze drifted back to me, now distant and wary. “I won’t have time now, but…”
Liam’s steps were now clear and close. Any moment now he’d turn the corner.
I turned to look back, feeling guilty, though I knew very well that I’d done nothing wrong.
A heated touch brushed against my cheek and I realized it was Torrid’s fingers, tracing over the line of my jaw and grasping my chin. His touch was gentle but firm as he brought my gaze back to him.
“You're more beautiful than I’d imagined. Much more…”
As Liam’s steps bounded behind me, Torrid’s retreated as he disappeared into the black thickets beyond the garden.
My mind raced with thoughts and emotions. The touch of his fingers still warmed my skin. The hint of my destiny rattled my brain. The thought that he knew my father opened my heart. I already anticipated our next meeting.
Liam stood behind me, silent. His passionate hands grabbed my waist and turned me to face him. For a moment I couldn’t look him in the eye. Traces of Torrid’s touch still lingered and it felt like a betrayal as Liam now brought the same touch to my cheek.
“I have a surprise for my lovely birthday girl,” he whispered.
