Page 19 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

It was no trick, and everyone knows it. We’ve been monitoring the reaction, and it doesn’t look good. Brynnlee pierced him with her sapphire gaze. What is your plan?

Alexander looked upward, at the gleaming stars piercing the blackness. Like him, their appearance masked their true power. I’ll reach out to my contacts and use their influence to neutralize the danger.

Even your extraordinary reach may not be enough. Brynnlee slanted her gaze away. It’s out there now, Alexander. This could be worst-case scenario.

There was no need to name their greatest fear: Exposure. It won’t come to that, Alexander promised. I’ll protect our people.

I know you will. A slight smile cut through the somberness. By the way, are you aware your friend is watching from the bushes? She appears to be caught in the thorns.

Alexander forced himself to remain straight, to not turn toward the woman who hadn’t left his mind for a moment. Every instinct urged him to grasp her. I’ll take care of her.

Brynnlee inclined her head . An interesting choice of words. I know she’s your colleague, but who is she really? I’ve never seen you like this.

Alexander acknowledged the words with a nod. I’m not sure yet, but I’m beginning to suspect.

Brynnlee’s eyes widened. I see. Does she know of her fate?

Not yet. But she will.

Then I’ll leave you to her rescue. And, Alexander, please be careful.

I will , he promised. I love you.

I love you, too . She reached up and gave Alexander a kiss on the cheek. A soft gasp hissed from the direction of the bushes.

Hiding the smile took more effort than teleporting.

As Brynnlee glided gracefully away, he turned toward the hedge, finally giving in to the urge to hunt his delectable prey. Clearly, she held incorrect assumptions about Brynnlee and him, and cared far more than she’d betrayed. Did she realize her escape had been only temporary?

He folded his arms across his chest and boomed, “I know you’re hiding in the bushes, Everleigh.”

“No, I’m not.”

His lips curved. “Are you certain?”

“Of course.”

“Then who is speaking?”

“The bushes.”

A grin escaped, but he sobered as he reached the hedge and its captive. He swept aside the leaves to expose the beauty underneath. She was caught in multiple places, her delicate dress snagged on razor-sharp thorns. “Care to explain?”

She turned an adorable shade of pink. “Explain? You’re the one who has to explain.”

“Really?” He deepened his voice. “Why would a grown woman skulk around the bushes?”

“I’m not skulking,” she protested. “I’m fine. You can go inside now.”

“And leave you trapped out here? That wouldn’t be very gentlemanly.” Yet he was feeling anything but gentlemanly toward the beautiful creature in the moonlight. Her skin was smooth against the fire red dress, her cheeks flushed and her lips so very kissable. “Were you eavesdropping?”

“Eavesdropping?” She tried to shake her head, stopped as the twigs caught her hair. “Of course not.”

He bent back the branches away from her golden curls. “Then what were you doing?”

“Gardening.”

He choked back laughter, edged closer. “Why don’t you just admit you were eavesdropping?”

Her eyes flashed fire. “Fine, I was eavesdropping. Not that there was anything to hear. You were too busy staring into each other’s eyes. What kind of man dances all night with one woman only to seduce another?”

“I–”

“Why did I come in the first place?” Raw words emerged in rapid fury. “The most beautiful women in the world throw themselves at you. Why wouldn’t you take advantage?”

“That’s not–”

“I don’t care. Not even a little! Do whatever you want with whomever you want. Just stay away from me.”

Every muscle clenched. “Never.”

“You don’t have a choice,” she snapped. “Now if you don’t mind, I need a little privacy to– to–”

“Undress?” The single word threatened his control. She notched up her chin, as if she were a queen lounging in a throne chair and not a thorny cage’s prisoner. She was poised, powerful and magnificent. And contrary to her assertions – his .

Her face pinkened to match the blossoms. “Just leave.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Ugh!” She shifted, even as the branches clawed at her. She gave him a withering glare. “Don’t you ever listen?”

“Not when someone asks me to ignore my responsibilities.” He leaned forward, into the intoxicating scent of roses and sweet woman. “Which you are.”

Her eyes turned as wide as the moon above, and his grasp on his control wavered. Soon, she would understand his role in her life. “I’d rather stay in the bushes. Leave now.”

“You’re not in any position to be giving orders.” He reached out, stopped just before he brushed her face. She closed her eyes, as for once, she couldn’t hide. Every instinct urged him to take control, to care for her. Soon.

Her eyes snapped open. “I’m not taking anything off while you’re here. I don’t care how many women you’ve seen naked.”

So that explained it. “Are you jealous?”

“Of course not! You can be with as many women as you want. A dozen – no, a hundred.” Her glare was as sharp as the thorns clutching her. “It’s lucky I figured it out before we did anything. I was starting to think you were a decent guy.”

“I am a decent guy.”

“Oh yeah?” She shifted in her prison. “Are you involved with that woman?”

“If you are asking whether I love her, the answer is yes.”

Everleigh opened and closed her mouth. Sputtered, “You’re an ass.”

“After all, she is my sister.”

She froze.

A thousand emotions rode a turnstile across her face. Anger transformed to shock and then shock to relief and finally relief to satisfaction. “She’s your sister?” she whispered.

He nodded.

“Your real sister?”

He nodded again. “Same mom, same dad.” He leaned closer. “Do you have something to say? After all, you did just call me an ass.”

“Perhaps that was a little harsh.” She chuckled nervously. “Why didn’t you tell me who she was? A beautiful woman shows up, and you immediately dismiss me. What was I supposed to think?”

“I’m sorry.” He should have told her who his sister was, even if he couldn’t explain the reason for her visit. “There was a family emergency.”

Despite her situation, true concern shone. “Can I help?”

“It’s nothing to worry about,” he replied swiftly. If the clever woman probed his family life, she might discover more than a hidden sister. Besides, there were more entangling problems right now. “Now how are we going to extract you?”

Her blush deepened to a dark rose. “I’m fine. Go back inside, and I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

Leave her alone and caught? Never. “The thorns are embedded in your dress. I can unsnag them, but…” He snapped a spindly twig. “Not while you’re wearing it.”

Already wary eyes narrowed into tiny slits. “Not. A. Chance.”

“Do you want to be stuck forever?” He kept his voice even, even as streaks of … something… raced through him. “Either the dress is coming off, or you’re not coming out.”

She stared, attempted to move back. Winced, froze and took a deep breath. “All right. But don’t look.”

“If I don’t look, I won’t be able to extract you.” He tried to sound disappointed by the prospect, failed most spectacularly. The thorns pricked his skin as he threaded to the back of her dress, but he hardly noticed. He reached the zipper, grazed her bare skin.

They both noticed.

He traced the metal pull, smoothing it for a second before pulling down.

She shuddered as the zipper descended, revealing a tantalizing expanse of smooth flawlessness.

She was all cream and curves, svelte skin and bare pinkness.

He nearly lost it when he realized she wore no bra – the dress had its own built-in corset.

Lower still, to racy red panties that hugged endless curves.

He’d let Ms. Perkins choose Everleigh’s undergarments so he wouldn’t be tortured with images of what lay underneath the shimmering dress. Now he’d never forget.

“I’m going to free your arms.”

She replied with a curt nod. He guided her slender arm through the branches, subtly using enchantment to keep the thorns away from her sensitive skin. He released one arm, and then the other.

“It’s time for the dress to come off.”

This time she didn’t respond at all as he slid the gown down, unsnagging it from the bushes as it descended.

It was the slowest, most delicious torture ever, as more and more of that beautiful body came into view.

A slender waist gave way to gently flaring hips and shapely long legs.

Then she was standing before him, naked save for the tiny red panties.

It was all he could do not to claim her right then.

“I’ll bring you out of the bushes now.”

She gulped. “Okay.”

He reached into the bushes and finally touched that creamy back. He wrapped one arm around her, his hand resting on her taut belly, and slid the other under her legs. He carefully lifted her into his arms.

Pure perfection. Holding her unclothed body against him, cradling the perfect form, was temptation defined. He’d been with beautiful women, yet she was different in a million ways he couldn’t explain. He wanted to hold her and never let go.

“Alexander?” she whispered.

Dissatisfaction, as sharp as it was poignant, tightened taut muscles. For now, he had to release her, yet would not allow her to go far. Gently, he lowered her to the ground. “I’ll get your gown.”

He quickly used enchantment to release the dress. He handed it to her, then looked away at the rustling of her donning it. She tested him like no other.

“I’m done.”

He turned to the stunning woman in the glittering dress.

Now her entire body was pink, her eyes a shining green.

“Thank you,” she murmured. “And I’m sorry for misconstruing the situation.

If I’d known she was your sister, I would’ve given you privacy.

But it seemed suspicious, and then you kissed her…

” Her voice trailed off. “Not that it matters to me, of course.”

Except it did matter – to both of them. It was time she understood that. “That’s not how I kiss a woman I’m interested in.”

She lifted her jaunty little chin. “Then how do you kiss a woman you’re interested in?”

It was an invitation. A challenge. A demand.

He took her lips.

She was as sweet as honey and sugar, intoxicating, pure and so very sensual. Her lips were pink and plump, and she tasted like dark chocolate and wine. He wrapped his arms around her petite frame and pulled her closer. She was softness to his hardness, delicate strength to his power.

For moments, they parried, as he probed that delectable mouth. Satisfaction surged when she allowed it, as she reciprocated in kind. Her breathed shallowed, and he pushed closer, as the need to dominate – and conquer – fired. The connection between them electrified, the urge to take all.

She was far smaller than him, yet she fit perfectly in his arms. Her skin was as soft as rose petals, her hair silky and shiny. He could hold her forever, and if he didn’t stop now, he just might. With all the strength he possessed, he pulled back.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes alight.

She gasped heavy gulps of the fragrant night air.

“We can’t do this.” Suddenly, she pivoted, and without a look back, fled from him, through the darkened nightscape.

For the longest time, he stared after her, rooted in the garden he’d created with enchantment.

The wind still carried her scent, and her presence lingered in the air.

Allowing her to leave was getting more difficult every time, but he was comforted by one truth:

Soon she would be his.