Daniel shot Johnny a warning look and said dryly, “It looks like there might be a tribe that exists somewhere on the island. The theory is they must live deep in the rain forest and for some reason have become emboldened enough to venture into civilization.”
Guy tightened his hold on Melody, and she cast him an appreciative half smile.
“Security on Malaku has been increased, and I want you all to feel assured that we will do all we can to ensure your safety. There are a few more things I’d like to go over with you before we go forward with the elimination ceremony. If there are any bachelors who, after hearing this news, no longer want to continue with the game, now is the time to come forward. The producers will understand as I’m sure Melody will too.”
She looked over the faces of the men she’d come to know and care about. “Of course. No question about it. If I was in your spot, I’m not sure what I would do.”
Sam, a family therapist and one of the bachelors she’d barely had any alone time with, stepped forward. “I’m sorry, Melody. Nothing against you. You seem like a wonderful woman, but I’m divorced and have two kids. If I only had to worry about myself, I might stay and get to know you better, see where it might lead, but my kids come first. They need their father. Alive.”
Melody slipped out of Guy’s arms and shook Sam’s hand, then kissed his cheek. “No need to explain. It was a pleasure to have met you.”
“Anyone else?” Daniel chimed in.
A short, stocky man with thickly rimmed tortoiseshell glasses came forward. Melody couldn’t remember his name. She thought he was a doctor of some sorts and so shy he’d barely said two words to her during his group date. “I should go too. My patients…my practice. Sorry.” He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose then went to stand beside Sam.
Three more men came forward. Melody scanned the faces of the five remaining bachelors, as did Daniel, wondering if any would remain to the end. The group remained silent.
“Well, then. That makes it easy. No need for an elimination tonight, after all. Oh, and another thing. I spoke with Tristate’s insurance carrier, and due to the liability factor, we’re going to wrap production ASAP. So, Melody, that means instead of five alone dates, tomorrow afternoon we’ll do one group date, you’ll select your bachelor, and it’s a wrap; then we’re off this island.” Daniel turned to leave but looked back over his shoulder. “I almost forgot. No one is to go anywhere alone. Understood?”
A resounding “Got it” ensued. Melody said good-bye to the men leaving and was glad they were going to wrap up the shooting early. She hadn’t been given a choice to leave and since she wasn’t especially brave she would be none too glad to be far, far away from what she had once considered a tropical paradise.
Wendy and Eddie Hatch strolled over to her. “Care to join us for dinner and a drink at the Island Sun?”
Melody’s back stiffened at their offer. She couldn’t believe they could think about food after hearing Daniel’s announcement. Obviously, they had stronger stomachs than she had. “No thanks. I think I’ll call it an early night.”
Guy appeared alongside her. “You two go on, I’ll walk Melody home.”
Wendy raised her pencil thin auburn brows and looked to Melody for confirmation.
“That’s fine. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” Melody watched the producers disappear from view. Tommy and two other bachelors were headed in the same direction, but the professor stood alone in the shadows. When she caught him watching her with a look she couldn’t quite decipher, he shifted his gaze away and looked out at the ocean. Despite the still-humid night, for some reason a chill ran over her skin.
“Ready?” Guystof draped his arm casually over her shoulder as if he’d done so many times before.
“Yes.” She walked with him along the bronzed beach, forgoing the road. Pleased that he chose the long way to her bure, she relaxed against the comfort of his arm and pushed the disturbing thoughts of cannibals from her mind. She was safe with him. Of that she had no doubt.
— : : —
Guystof gritted his teeth as pain stabbed his insides. His stomach ached as never before. He’d cut back on the potion, hoping to make it last until the end of the show. If Melody found out about the monster trapped inside him, not only would he lose his kingdom to Theo, but she’d look at him with fear and loathing.
“Are you all right?” Melody asked, her sweet voice edged with concern.
“A bit of indigestion. Most likely brought on by Daniel’s news. And I’m sure I’m not the only one suffering from it.”
Melody stopped walking, sinking her heels into the sand and bringing him to a halt beside her. “Thank you for staying.”
His gaze searched her lovely cornflower eyes, trying to determine if she was merely being polite or if she truly was glad. Almost as if reading his mind, she added, “I mean it. You, I especially wanted to stay.”
He raised his brows at her. “Really? Even though at times I’m cocky and overbearing?”
“Despite your flaws.” She laughed, and he felt her relax against him.
“I might be many things, Melody, but a coward is not one of them. No cannibals are going to keep me away from you.” Though he doubted very much that was what was responsible for the killing of the animals. Theo’s hand or, more precisely, fangs were all over the incident. The only problem was he hadn’t made his presence known, which could mean he might have taken another form. Theo could appear at any time as anyone or anything. Guystof had to keep his guard up at all times.
He wasn’t surprised that his brother would travel to Fiji. As the game drew to the end, the more desperate Theo would become. And the more dangerous. For his brother would stop at nothing to keep him from succeeding at father’s ultimatum. Well, Guystof was just as determined to win.
“Are you in a rush to get back home,” he asked Melody, bringing his mouth close to her ear so his lips brushed the side of her cheek. “We’ve had so little time alone…together… The night is so lovely.” As he spoke the words he looked straight into her eyes.
“What did you have in mind?”
“Sitting here.” He pointed to an alcove jutting out from the shore sheltered by groupings of large weather-beaten rocks. “Under the stars getting to know you better.”
She did not pause to think it over, nor did she hesitate when she answered. “Sounds lovely.”
Guystof smiled and took her small soft hand in his, then led her through the sand. He chose a secluded spot sure to be far from prying eyes and sat. Melody kicked off her sandals and did the same.
She leaned back on her elbows and looked up at the sky. “Let’s say—hypothetically, of course—that I chose you. What would you say?”
“Do you mean would I accept your lei? Or would I become your husband?”
“Both.”
“Why do you doubt me? Didn’t I tell you the very first time I laid eyes on you that you were going to be my wife?”
She dug her toes into the sand. “That was you just being arrogant and flirty. And that’s exactly what has me concerned. I’m not sure if this is just a game to you. One—being that I can tell you’re highly competitive—you’re going to win.”
He reached over to her and removed her hairpins one by one, letting her hair stream down her back to reflect the moonlight like spun gold. “What’s it going to take to make you believe me? Don’t you believe in love at first sight?”
She sucked in her breath, shrugged her shoulders, and stared deep into his eyes. He leaned in toward her and brought his mouth down on hers. Her lips tasted as sweet as he remembered. Then he tasted the buttery soft skin of her throat, and it too was like honey.
He brought his kisses lower, to the tops of her softly rounded breasts where her cleavage showed from the V-neckline of her silk dress. Gently, he pushed open the silky material, exposing to him even more of her beauty. He cupped her breasts in his hands, then kissed each nipple until it turned rosy and hard.
She arche
d her back, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him until the beating of her heart blended with his own and he could no longer tell where one stopped and the other began.
He ran his hands over her hips, pressing her against his thigh, then he slipped his hand under her dress and pushed the material up over her knees. In the faint glow of the moon, he admired her satiny smooth skin. With his fingers he traced circles on her thighs and her legs quivered beneath his touch. He moved his hand up over her taut, flat belly, then slipped it down inside her panties. The area between her legs was moist and warm, and she did not so much as flinch when he touched her there.
This woman, this wonderful woman, seemed willing to accept his lovemaking. Yet, an unfamiliar deep ache stirred in his chest. While he lay aroused and ready to enter her, his heart said no.
Melody trusted him. She believed he was as he appeared, when everything about him was a lie. His mouth went dry. Cold horror froze him. Was this guilt that he felt? Why should he care if he took advantage of her? Soon, he would take her life, plunging her into the black abyss of eternal hell.
He jerked back his hand, then pulled down her dress to cover her nakedness. He couldn’t hide from his feelings any longer. He did care. The thought of her looking at him with eyes full of anger and despair when she learned he’d been dishonest with her and had used her as a pawn would be more painful than a stake driven through his heart. No, if he were to have her, she would have to come to him of her own will, knowing the monster that he was and loving him in spite of it. If he must take her mortal life, at least he could leave her with her dignity.
She lay there beside him, unmoving and silent, the only noise the gentle waves lapping against the shore. Her brilliant blue eyes questioned him. “What’s wrong?” Her voice was husky with emotion.
He wanted to take her back in his arms and kiss away her fears, but he couldn’t do that. “Nothing. It’s late. I should take you home.” Guystof stood, brushed the sand from his clothes, and held out his hand to help her up.
She slapped it away. Those eyes that had looked lovingly at him only moments ago had changed as quickly as storm clouds blowing in over the sea. “How dare you dismiss me like that, as if I have no say in this? Do you think I take this lightly? I was willing to give myself to you, as I’ve never done with any man. Do you know how hard that was for me?”
Melody was a virgin! He could hardly believe his good fortune. Imagine spending centuries with a woman who’d never been spoiled by another man. She would belong to him and only him forever. But at this moment, he didn’t know what to say. Any response would have to be a lie, for he couldn’t tell her the truth. And hadn’t he told enough lies already? “I’m sorry. It’s not you. It’s me.” He couldn’t stand the pain he saw on her face and the distrust in her eyes, so he turned his back to her and looked out over the sea.
Less than a minute later, she was beside him, her sandals clenched in her hand so that her knuckles had turned red. “Walk me home, or don’t. I really don’t care.” She stormed down the beach where the water met the sand, her feet shooting out little sprays of water with each step she took.
Guystof did not blame her for being angry and hurt. But his compassion may have just cost him the game.
— : : —
Melody’s emotions were running helter-skelter. She wanted to lash out at Guy for hurting her, and the next instant she wanted to beg him to take her back in his arms. She’d been so sure he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Lord knew she’d never felt like this before. So she’d thrown caution to the wind and look where it had gotten her. A slap in the face and a thank-you-very-much-ma’am, but-no-thank-you, from the man she was falling in love with. How could she have been so wrong? How could she have misread him so?
Guy had been coming on strong from the instant she laid eyes on him when he stepped from the ocean like a Greek god. Telling her she was going to be his wife. Talking about love at first sight. Well, it looked like she was the only one feeling that way. She must have been right all along, thinking he was too good to be true. She was a fool! Why would a handsome count want a naïve small-town girl? Well, he didn’t and now she looked like an idiot practically throwing herself at him. She’d waited twenty-four years to make love and she was willing to throw it all away for a wild night of passion on the beach. She should be thankful that he stopped her, for she had to have lost her mind.
Up ahead the lights of her bure cut through the dark like a beacon. She was on her private beach now and hurried across the sand. When she reached the path that led to her front door, she turned to Guy. He’d stayed about ten feet behind her, at least having the good sense to keep his distance. “You don’t have to come any farther. Good night.”
He nodded. “Good night, Melody.”
That was it. That’s all he had to say. He was going to let her go just like that. “All right then, good night.” She raced up the path not knowing whether he watched her enter her bure or not. What did it matter? For whatever reason, he must have decided she wasn’t the woman for him after all. At least there was one thing about him she’d been wrong about. He was a gentleman! He could very well have taken advantage of her tonight and then dumped her tomorrow. Thankfully, she didn’t have to experience that humiliation. She’d be the one doing the dumping. There’d be no lei for Guy at the next elimination ceremony.
Melody slammed the door shut behind her, then pressed her back against it and slid down onto the floor. Tears filled her eyes and she covered her face with her hands.
“Melody.”
She started at the sound of her name. Who was there in her bure? She fanned her fingers apart and looked between them.
Standing before her, tall and gaunt, his eyes dilated and dark, was the professor.
“What are you doing here? You have no right to be in my bure.” She hoped to sound strong and assertive, but inside she trembled like a helpless lamb.
He chuckled softly. “I’m afraid you’re wrong about that. For you see, I have every right to be here, because very soon you will belong to me.”
He sounded odd, unlike himself. Oh Lord, he must be drunk again. She pushed her back harder against the door and slithered up it so she could reach the knob. But when her fingers curled around it, the deadbolt turned, locking her in. Her eyes widened in fear and her heart thundered against her chest. She tried to turn the latch but it wouldn’t budge.
She shifted her gaze to the professor. “H-how did you do that?”
“It’s quite simple, my dear. Magic.”
Magic? What was happening? “What do you want?”
“Now don’t be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m just making sure that you choose me for the last bachelor.”
Ha, fat chance. He was insane if he thought locking her in her hut would ensure him of that.
“Come.” He walked over to the bar and poured two glasses of wine, then held one out to her. “Drink with me. I can assure you this wine tastes like no other.”
Her mind was awhirl as she tried to think of ways out of this. “If I have a drink with you, then will you leave?”
“Absolutely.”
When she took the glass from him, her fingers brushed his, and they were cold as ice.
“Cheers.” He drank his quickly, then watched for her to take a sip.
As she lifted the glass to her lips, she was struck by the dark red color and thick consistency of the wine. She took a sip and gagged. Blood! He’d given her blood? The glass slipped from her fingers and crashed to the floor.
“You’ll get used to it, my dear. It just takes some time.”
She scrunched her face in horror and shrank away from him. “What are you? Some sort of monster?”
“Some think that, but I don’t like to. No one’s all bad. I must have some redeeming qualities, though I’m hard-pressed to say what they are.” He reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders.
“Let go of me,” she hissed.
He la
ughed and tightened his hold, his cold fingers pressing into her skin. “Look into my eyes.”
“You’re crazy.” She tried to turn away, but his glassy stare locked with hers and held her captive. His eyes were lifeless and seemingly pupilless. She opened her mouth to scream but her throat had closed up and no sound would come out. She tried to lift her foot to run, but it was as if it were cemented to the floor. All she could do was stare at his horrid pale face and pray that the power of movement would return to her.
His thin, shrunken lips moved and his voice sounded odd and far away. “You drank wine with me, a wine such as you’ve never tasted before. A wine that has bonded us. From now on whenever you hear my voice, you will come to me. Do you understand?”
The room seemed to tilt, and his sinister image faded in and out. When she wobbled, he pulled her into his arms. Nooo, she wanted to scream, but her lips were stiff and dry.
He whispered in her ear, “I asked you a question, Melody.”
She shuddered at the foul smell of his breath. “Yes.” The word came forth as if of its own accord.
“Good. Now repeat after me. You shall have no rival.”
“You shall have no rival.”
“I will only have eyes for you.”
“I will only have eyes for you.”
“That’s my girl.” He gave her a brief hug, then blew his stale breath in her ear.
And everything went black.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Guystof lay in bed. The pains in his stomach had returned, but they were nothing compared to the pain in his heart. What was happening to him? Not only did he look human, but he was feeling human too. These emotions he felt were like none that he’d ever experienced before, and he didn’t know what to do with them.
When he’d first met Melody he’d been attracted to her, and why not? She was a beautiful woman. Besides, marrying someone attractive was far better than spending centuries with someone he found distasteful.
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