by Kali Willows
“This is a lot to take in right now. Cemil has some ideas to better work through the rest.” Sage stood and coaxed her to her feet. “For now, let’s get you to your cabin, we have a little time to get you settled in before dinner.”
“Sorry to interrupt, Cyrus.” Myron popped her head into the doorway, a frown marring her pretty features.
“What is it?”
“It would seem there’s a plumbing issue in some of the guests’ bathrooms.”
Cyrus cocked his head. “What kind of plumbing issue?”
“We have a bit of a flood on the second floor,” Myron blurted. “I’ve got the property manager, Geoff, on it right now. He’ll report back to you when he gets an idea of the cause, but I thought you should know.”
Chapter Two
Sage parked the golf cart beside a second one at the end of the dock.
“Thanks for seeing me to my cabin.” Trinity climbed out, collected her bag, and turned to survey the unique triangular structure at the end of the wooden walkway. Incredible. Built over the water, the villa showcased tall, broad windows all around.
“My pleasure. It’s the least we could do.” Sage hummed a tune as they walked the length of the boards. “Water will be your number one resource, so what better place than here?”
“I suppose.” She spilled out a shaky breath. “How long has Cyrus had to wear those gloves?”
“Since he discovered his talents,” Sage replied. “By the time he was twenty-seven, he was a wreck. He couldn’t eat or sleep and was haunted by the memories of the objects he read. Every murder, weapon, and unimaginable details of crimes he’d never wanted to see.” Sage frowned.
“I guess it would be sort of similar to the dark pit of despair I managed to fall into?”
“I’d say so.”
“So he wears gloves to avoid physical contact?”
“It is. Self-preservation for paras can come in many forms.”
“I suppose it does.” Trinity fidgeted with her new glasses.
“We had a difficult meeting. Are you okay? You’ve been quiet since we left the Wiccan Haus.”
“I’m fine,” she mumbled. “I’ve lost my mind, and apparently it’s genetic. I’m peachy.”
“You haven’t lost your mind.”
“Not yet.” The sudden return of Sage’s cheery disposition grated on her rankled nerves. “Please don’t take this the wrong way. I know you mean well, but I think I would prefer to be alone for a little while.”
“Most definitely.”
They stepped onto the porch, and Sage opened the door for her. “Dinner is in an hour. Don’t be late or Rekkus will send a search party for you. He takes the dinner attendance very seriously.”
“So I heard, loud and clear.”
“I’ve set up the bathroom and bedroom with everything you need to relax. The villa can accommodate three people comfortably, with a pull-out couch and the bed, but you have it all to yourself this week.”
Trinity bit her lip. “Three people? I don’t want to put anyone out with all this business.”
“Not in the least.”
“Thanks, sorry I’m a little bitchy.” Trinity placed her suitcase on the floor by the door as she spun around and soaked up the spectacular room.
Soft pastel colors glinted under the bright beams of sunlight peering in through the windows all around. Furnished with a plush crimson couch set and wooden coffee table on the right side of the entrance, a small circular glass dining table with four chairs in the far corner to the left, and a kitchen with wooden cabinets and a breakfast bar with three stools in the center. It offered luxury at its finest, for a banshee on the brink of madness. A rectangular glass window in the floor even offered a magnificent view of fish swimming under the villa. To the right was the bedroom with a massive king-sized bed covered in lavish white linens she wanted to dive right into.
“This is incredible.”
“See, your mood has already lifted.” Sage grabbed the door handle. “Myron suggested you take a quick dip in the hot springs before you come to dinner at the Haus.”
The idea sparked a little intrigue. “Where can I find it?”
“There’s a map on the dining room table. It’s a twenty minute walk northwest if you follow the path, but the second golf cart at the end of the dock is for your use. Bring a towel. Myron said you’ll need it.” She winked and shut the door behind her.
A hot spring? She picked up the map and glanced at it. A hop, skip, and a jump away, it appeared simple enough. Although the appeal of the heated escape could cause her to lose track of time, determination to sneak at least a short swim in before dinner took hold.
Trinity snatched up her suitcase and took it to the bed. She paused to peer out the vast windows at the deep-blue water surrounding her accommodations. She had to hand it to the Rowans. They were a class act. The villa had appeared small from the outside, but on the inside, it offered plenty of space and lush interior, even down to the framed watercolor paintings of beautiful scenery. The place held a serenity she had long since coveted.
She fished through her disheveled clothing, on a mission to find her bathing suit and a summer dress she could switch into and head to dinner afterward. Flustered when she couldn’t locate the suit, she emptied her crumpled clothes onto the bed.
“I swear I packed my blue bathing suit,” she growled with irritation. “It’s not in here.” In recent weeks, she had developed a habit of misplacing things and cursed her stupidity. She grabbed the folded note from her pocket and checked it again. In a desperate need to cure her newfound forgetfulness, she had taken to writing lists. Every item she added, she’d crossed off as she packed it in her bag. The suit in question had been third on her list and crossed off. She had, in fact, remembered placing it in the suitcase. She shook her head with despair, and then remembered her spectacular arrival. “It probably got lost when my suitcase burst open on impact with Mr. Hot and Bothered Dark Eyes.”
Dumbfounded, she grabbed the sundress, quickly changed, and slipped on her sandals. She snatched a large terrycloth towel from the bathroom and checked her hair in the mirror. “What the…?” After her crash and burn upon arrival, she never had the chance to tidy her do. Taking a quick jaunt to the bed, she snagged her brush and smoothed her hair back into a neat bun. Satisfied, she picked up the towel and headed out the door.
At the end of the dock, she hopped into the golf cart and took a left to follow the trail to her watery retreat. With no suit, she might have to settle for going in only knee-deep, but, for now, she could scout it out. Maybe the Wiccan Haus had a gift shop where she could purchase another one later, or perhaps they’d found hers after she scurried out in such a frenzy.
Upon her arrival, she stared in awe at the magnificence of the steaming spring. Tucked back in the far corner, a light waterfall spray promised a delightful retreat. She spotted flat stones around the edges under the surface of the springs. Were they underwater seats? Nice. She headed to the far side where a stone bench sat beside the waterfall. The humidity settled around her like a warm, cozy blanket. The subtle aroma of mint from the green foliage around the perimeter of the steamy bath soothed her lungs. Trinity slipped her shoes off and set the towel down.
She had the entire hot spring to herself. An impish whim took hold, and she removed her glasses, set them down then pulled her sundress over her head and inched her panties off. She placed all her items on the bench and headed into the water. Skinny dipping had not been her intention, but, hell, the opportunity was too good to pass up.
The water proved even more blissful than promised, a tad warmer than body temperature. She swam around a few laps then set course toward the natural shower. Under the spray, she let the falling coolness wash away her worries, anger, and sorrow. Sarka was a smart lady, suggesting the natural waters could neutralize the negativity festering deep inside, and, by the gods, it worked.
Lost in the tranquility of her shower, sh
e allowed her lids to close as she indulged in serenity. A loud splash startled her, and she opened her eyes. A second splatter sounded, and she crossed her arms over her exposed breasts. The waterfall tucked in the back corner offered little shelter from potential prying eyes. Two heads bobbed across the spring. Dammit. Other swimmers, and here she waded in all her glory, buck naked!
Mortified and now trapped, she held her breath and prayed they wouldn’t notice her.
“Man, my shoulders are killing me,” one groaned.
“Your shoulders? My back,” the other one growled.
The first one dove under the water and disappeared; the second one followed. Her heart pummeled against her ribs as she searched for them. Cautious, Trinity inched forward into the open pool. They hadn’t resurfaced for several seconds. Did they both drown?
Right in front of her, a head popped out of the water, and she gasped. By the gods, it’s the two tall, dark, and delicious men I crash landed into at the portal! Could this possibly get any more embarrassing?
“Shit, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was in here.” His slick black hair glistened with water and the most incredible dark-gray eyes gazed at her.
A second head popped up beside him. “Oh, wow….” He jammed his fingers through his mass of wet locks. She had guessed right—dark-auburn hair and bright-emerald eyes.
“And…this would be the second most awkward moment of the day.” She exhaled a shallow breath and sank lower into the water to cover herself. “I think this trumps my arrival.”
“Don’t sweat it, sweetheart. We’ll swim over there,” the dark haired one offered, but remained in place with an ear-to-ear grin.
“Yeah, way over there,” the ginger concurred, but he, too, didn’t budge an inch.
Both men beamed as they treaded water. The dark-eyed hunk’s grin held a mischievous quality, whereas green eyes’ cheeks flushed bright red. It appeared he was the modest one, at least compared to his counterpart.
She couldn’t feel their emotions or read their thoughts. It must be the water, neutral territory. “Arawn, right?” Her teeth chattered. A little too long under the shower, or perhaps the vulnerability of her nakedness in front of two sexy men, set every one of her nerve endings on fire.
“Right,” the dark haired one replied. “And this is—”
“Kane,” she finished. “The one I didn’t knock to the ground.”
“Maybe next time.” Kane snickered. “You’re Trinity.”
“Last time I checked.” Awkward silence blanketed the hot spring as she waited. “We’re late for dinner, I’m sure,” she hinted with her arms still wrapped around her goodies underwater.
“Dinner.” Arawn licked his lips. “Perhaps you could join us?”
“I….” Temptation niggled at her, but she resisted. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” To bite her tongue would have been less painful than the moment she declined his invitation. “But thank you.”
“Oh?” He frowned. “Sure, we understand.”
“Maybe another time?” Kane eased back in the water. “Come on, we should get going,” he called to his buddy and swam away.
“See you later.” Arawn paused, the depth of his stare captivating her. “Our apologies for the intrusion.” He twisted around then dove under the water toward his friend, providing Trinity with a delicious view of his ass, taut and defined, like she’d imagined. So it would seem she hadn’t been the only one enticed by the thought of skinny dipping.
When the men stepped out of the water, she tilted her head and watched as she nibbled on her lower lip. They were built like Greek gods, with broad shoulders, rippled arms, and lean hips. She caught a glimpse of their distended cocks, and her breath hitched. They both had a great deal to offer a girl. Tribal tattoos painted the magnificent physique of the dark one, from neck to waist, and over the upper portion of his incredible arms. They were too far away to make out the images, but she couldn’t stop herself from the eye-candy overload. The ginger had some remarkable ink, too, covering the width of his back, too, and some across his biceps and chest. Oh Hades, the space between her thighs heated with intensity.
While they got dressed on the other side of the spring, Trinity snuck out to get her clothes. Only, when she got to the bench, all that remained were her glasses, shoes, and her towel. “Are you kidding me?”
Fuming with annoyance, she wrapped the towel around her and stormed to the men. “Very funny, now give me back my clothes,” she snarled.
Arawn turned around, his jeans still undone. “Excuse me?”
“I’m not kidding. Where are my dress and panties?” She hugged herself in a vain attempt to ward off the chills of humiliation.
“We didn’t touch your stuff, I swear.” Kane slipped his T-shirt over his head and inched it down his taut, wet skin.
“Sure you didn’t,” she growled. “I was here all alone, I put my things on the bench, and you two hooligans showed up. Now, they’re gone. Coincidence? I think not.” Her cheeks burned.
The guys stared at each other with utter surprise, and then Arawn glared at her. “Hey, we came in from over here. This is where our stuff was, where we entered and exited. Where were your clothes?”
The defensive anger festering in his chest amplified through her. He told the truth.
Trinity’s stomach tensed, and she shook her head in confusion. “Over there.” She pointed to the empty surface. “On the bench.”
“I swear to you, Trinity, we had nothing to do with it.” Kane’s words were softer than his buddy’s. Trinity absorbed his shock and dismay. Out of the water, they were open books. He told the truth, too.
“I don’t understand.” She trembled with cold.
“The good news is, you have a towel.” Arawn’s glare lightened. “You look like you’re freezing.” He grabbed his T-shirt from the ground and held it up for her. “Use this. We can walk you back to your room so you can get some clothes.”
“I couldn’t.” Her teeth chattered.
“I didn’t intend it as an offer.” He smirked. “We didn’t touch your stuff, but, to be honest, I wouldn’t feel right to let you walk back to the Haus in a towel. Whoever took your clothes is probably still around here somewhere.”
Fear speared her chest like a dagger, his pangs of concern rippling through her. It had never occurred to her there could be any danger. “I’m in a cabin at the end of the dock, not at the Haus.”
“It’s settled, then. You’ve earned yourself a private escort,” Kane insisted.
She accepted their offer, and Arawn placed the neck of the shirt over her head and helped her slip her arms in. He inched it down over her towel. Trinity glanced up at his striking charcoal eyes and drank in the warmth of his gaze. Lost in the depths of his incredible orbs, she shuddered as she realized she gazed at their true colors and auras. She felt more naked than she had without a towel. “My glasses.” She clasped her hand over her mouth.
“I’ll get them.” Kane bolted toward the bench and returned with them. “Looks like they left your sandals, too.” He kneeled down and, as he held them in place for her to slip each foot into, he glanced up at her with an adoring smile.
Warmth curled around her spine from his tender gaze. Oh my, this is dangerous territory. “Thank you, both of you.”
Arawn took the driver’s seat, and Kane helped her into the passenger. He hopped onto the back of the little buggy, and, within a few minutes, they reached her cabin.
“I don’t want to make you late for dinner. You could get in trouble with the boss man.”
They walked on either side of her for the quick jaunt along the dock. The heat of their auras extended around her like a snuggly layer.
“Consider it informal security detail. I’ll explain to Rekkus. He would expect no less, given the circumstances.”
“Since you mentioned dinner”—Kane glanced sideways at her with a roguish grin—“is there a reason you didn’t want to
join us?”
Trinity’s stomach dropped at the question. How do I respond? You’re both too damn sexy for my own good? I’m grieving the tragic death of my uncle and don’t want to bore you with the details? Or how about, I’m losing my mind and could become a homicidal maniac at any moment, so your safest bet is to stay the hell away from me. What am I supposed to say? “I’m, uh….”
“We aren’t so bad, are we?” Arawn teased.
“I’m, shy.”
“We don’t bite.” Kane chuckled.
“Unless you want us to.” Arawn gazed at her and winked.
These men crept through her defensive shield in a dark, sensual, and very dangerous manner. Despite her best efforts to convince herself there was no way they would be interested in her in the least, here they were, their moderate flirtations and protectiveness comforting her in an unexpected way. They had no way to know she could read their thoughts, and, by the gods, the thoughts they had about her…both of them…together. Worse yet, she liked it.
They reached the porch of the cabin, and her vulnerability burrowed even further inside. “I’ll run in and change.”
“If you don’t mind”—Arawn held her wrist and stopped her—“we should take a look around inside to make sure the cabin is empty.”
Trinity sighed. His caution was red hot and not a ruse. “Suit yourselves.”
She nodded, and he entered the cabin. Kane stood at her side. Two personal bodyguards. Could this day get any stranger?
A moment later, he returned. “It’s clear. Go on in. We’ll wait out here for you.” Arawn stepped out and held the door for her.
“Thanks, I’ll be a minute.” She smoothed her wet hair, her bun unkempt again. “And you can have your T-shirt back.”
She forced her gaze from Arawn’s taut, bronzed flesh and sucked in a shivering breath. Please cover your body before I’m forced to jump your bones right here on the porch. May the gods have mercy on me.
Chapter Three
Arawn tried to rationalize the missing clothes as a silly prank some guests may have played on Trinity, but it was more than a game. He felt it in his immortal bones—after all, he had a sixth sense for malevolence. It was a quality he was inherently drawn to, despite the ramifications it usually brought with it. The potential of danger for Trinity was real, so Arawn sped the golf cart along the path to get her to the safety of the Wiccan Haus. But when they arrived, he found himself disappointed because it meant the end of her sitting at his side. The dark edge of his lineage he worked so hard to suppress always managed to surface when something he wanted or, better yet, coveted was within his reach. And he wanted Trinity so badly he could taste it.
