Page 4 of Her Dom's Secret Past

Chapter Three

Anabelle

After a light lunch of salad, I decided to read. Taking my book outside, I sat on what was fast becoming my favorite rock. This time, I was determined to actually read, and I did. I’d become completely absorbed in my book,The Dark Lakeby Sarah Bailey. Maybe two hours later, I lifted my head, thinking it was time to go back to the cabin and get a drink. When I closed my book and was about to stand, I held my breath quickly.

A whispered masculine voice from my left had my heart suddenly pounding.

“Don’t move.”

To say I was petrified was an understatement. All the air was sucked from my lungs. I couldn’t have spoken even if I wanted to.

“Slowly look to your right.”

Somehow, I managed to turn my head, my fear increasing. Visions of my murder crammed into my brain. I expected to see someone with a gun, but then I almost cried aloud in relief. Not two meters from me was a large fur seal basking in the sun. That same deep voice softly spoke again, and I finally noticed a definite British accent.

“I’ve been watching him for about ten minutes. I figured you were about to stand up and both of you would get a fright.”

Get a fright?

Hell, this guy had almost given me a heart attack!

Still, I sat in silence, not moving, watching the seal. I could have almost reached out and touched him. I had no idea when he’d climbed out of the water and settled beside me, but now I was enamored. His beautiful fur was shades of brown from light to dark, with a darker eye-mask and unbelievably long white whiskers. His tiny ears appeared to have been stuck on as an afterthought. He opened his eyes then yawned, and I got a glimpse of his very sharp teeth. He scratched under his chin with a flipper and idly looked at me. Then he turned his head to study my unseen companion.

Another yawn. He seemed to raise his head and stretch and then began to shuffle his way across the rocks. His passage brought him very close to me. I held my breath as he worked his way past my rock, his flank skimming my feet. Then with a graceful half-dive, half-slide, he went into the water. When he surfaced, he peeked back at us then disappeared under the waves. At last, I exhaled shakily. I couldn’t speak as I took in what had happened.

“That was fucking amazing!” that most masculine voice said.

Finally, I turned to see my companion.Oh hell!

As close as the seal had been and sitting, near the other end of my large rock was an exceedingly handsome dark-skinned man. He seemed to unfold stiffly and stood slowly. Then he came over to my side of the rock. He towered over me but then perched himself gingerly on a smaller rock nearby. He searched out to sea where our friend had disappeared, shaking his head in wonder.

“I never thought I’d ever get so close to a wild seal.” He turned back at me, his face lit up with sheer enjoyment. “Like I said, that was amazing.”

Finally finding my voice, I answered, “Yes, it truly was.”

“I managed to get some photos on my phone. Would you like me to send you copies?”

Mm… This was tricky. Yes, I would have loved photographs, but it would mean giving out my number to a complete stranger, albeit a gorgeous one. He must have sensed the reason for my hesitation.

He turned on a hundred-watt smile and my insides melted as he said, “Stupid idea. Of course you shouldn’t give out your number.” He appeared to think for a moment then said, “What if I get a USB stick and copy them?”

“Please, I don’t want you to go to any trouble on my account.”

“No trouble at all. I imagine you’d love a photo or two of that encounter.”

“I would,” I said honestly with a grin. “I really would.”

“Then it’s a deal. I’ve got a couple of USB sticks back at my place. Once I transfer the photos, I’ll drop one to you. I’m staying in one of the villas here.”

Grateful, I replied, “Thank you.”

“I always thought their fur was darker, but did you see how light it was in places?”

“Yes, and those whiskers. They seemed to go on forever.”

“And what about that mask?”

“I know, he resembled a bandit.”