Page 25 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

Desire. It was immediate and it was pure, in the arms of six-foot-three of solid muscle. She pressed flush against his hardness, clutching bulging biceps as he grasped her. Heat streaked between them and back again, as every cell demanded she move closer. In his fiery eyes, she melted .

For moments he stared at her, caught in the same maelstrom. With a soft sigh, he moved back, allowing a sliver of space and an ocean of uncertainties between them. He lifted the wine from her hands. “I believe you’ve had enough.”

Her heart sped as she clung to him. She stumbled slightly, caught herself. “I just need to sit down for a minute.”

“Certainly.” He led her to the deck, with dozens of chairs, and an intimate loveseat that was his destination. “How are you feeling?”

“Wonderful.” She hiccupped. “You just make me so off–” She giggled. “Balanced.”

“Don’t worry.” He gave a crooked smile, and touched her back. “I’ll make sure you don’t get into any trouble.”

She made a very unladylike snort. “You are trouble. Did you plan this? Get me toasted so you could have your wicked way with me?” She clamped her mouth shut. Was it obvious she wanted him to have his wicked way with her?

Or better yet, she would have her wicked way with him.

He chuckled. “No, Miss Lacey, I did not get you drunk for any nefarious purpose. If you recall, I tried to cut you off after two.”

She frowned. So he didn’t want to have his wicked way with her.

He laughed again.

“Hey, cut it out.” She meant to give him a playful punch, but he caught her hand. All humor fled, replaced by unfettered desire. Yet as before, he edged away.

The alcohol was making her feel things she shouldn’t feel, want things that could never be hers. He apparently agreed, because when he spoke again his voice was businesslike and professional. “I want to talk about the other night.” He paused. “I know you were the woman in the video.”

“How?” She gasped. She’d meant to deny it, yet the word slipped out of her alcohol-laced lips.

“Don’t worry.” He held up a hand. “You didn’t confess anything I didn’t already know. I have video evidence.”

“But you told the men your security cameras were destroyed.” Why had he lied to the officials? She licked dry lips. “Do you know something about the supernatural being?”

“There is no supernatural being,” he said firmly. “Nevertheless, I don’t need scientists looking into my private business on a fruitless search for little green men. I do, however, know you were there.”

For a second, she paused. Yet hiding anything from Alexander Stone was a practice of the impossible. “It’s true,” she admitted. “It was the scariest moment of my life. For a moment, I thought I was going to… to…” She blinked watery eyes.

“It’s all right.” Alexander grazed her arm, an innocent touch that portrayed so much more. Support and strength flowed through the light contact. “I won’t ever let anything happen to you.”

She nodded, even though he could never keep such a promise. “I was right there, and the shape was undeniable. It was definitely a man.”

He lifted a shoulder. “You were in the middle of a tornado, frightened for your life.”

She shook her head. “I know what I saw. It was a man, almost as close as you are now. He was big and strong and…” She hesitated. “He commanded the tornado.”

“Commanded the tornado?” Alexander folded his arms across his chest. “Now I know you’ve had too much to drink.”

“If you don’t believe me, ask me again when I’m sober. Although if I was sober, I probably wouldn’t have shared this much.” She grimaced. “I’ve only told one other person.”

His expression darkened, and she involuntarily pressed back into the seat. His words were low, succinct. “Who did you tell?”

“My colleague, Sam.” She squeezed her eyes shut at yet another answer she hadn’t meant to give. “But if you’re worried he’s going to talk, don’t be. He can keep a secret.”

He didn’t look relieved. “Are you planning to tell anyone else?”

“No.” It was the absolute truth. “The man saved my life and earned a manhunt for his efforts. Despite what Dr. Garrison and Agent Andrews claim, they want to do more than talk. Could you imagine if they found someone who could actually command a tornado? His life would never be the same. The best thank you I could give is to keep quiet.”

Alexander’s gaze was as potent as that tornado. “I’m sure he would appreciate it.”

And for just an instant, the strangest sense of familiarity arose, something hidden, something almost impossibly obvious.

She studied the slightly blurry visage of the man above her, superimposed him on another.

Alexander was large and powerful, just like the man who’d saved her.

They both wielded rare strength. They’d both attended the party.

She rubbed her forehead, stumbled through racing thoughts. It was impossible.

Wasn’t it?

“You didn’t see the man on the video?” she whispered, keeping her voice calm, free of accusation.

“Of course not.” He glanced away. “You may think you saw a man, but life and death situations change perceptions. It was an illusion.”

“But it wasn’t just me,” she protested. “Other guests saw it from the window – the video proved it.”

“The video showed a grainy shape,” he countered. “It could have been anything – branches, leaves, debris.”

“In the shape of a person?” She peered closer. “Where were you when the tornado struck?”

He narrowed his eyes ever-so-slightly. “As I told the men, I was in my room with my security advisor. Do you need confirmation?”

“No.” Undoubtedly, his employees would verify whatever Alexander told them. “It’s just… there are some similarities between you and the man in the tornado.

“Because I’m tall and work out? I’m just a man.” He edged nearer, casting fiery heat over her. “Miss Lacey, you’ve had too much to drink. Any fantastical suspicions are a result of that.”

She was definitely unbalanced, and likely her mind was creating connections where none existed. But still…

“Tell me, Miss Lacey,” Alexander pressed on. “Let’s say you actually saw what you think you saw, and there is some sort of supernatural creature. What do you think he’d do if you discovered his identity?”

Her breath hitched. “Thank me for not telling anyone?”

“Come now, Miss Lacey,” he drawled. “A man like that wouldn’t trust easily. He might not believe you’d keep his secret. What do you think he’d do then?”

She swallowed a heavy gulp of sea air, edged back, yet there was nowhere to go. She was trapped on this seat, and on this boat, by the powerful man. A man who could be far more than he let on. “Do you think he’d hurt me?”

The denial was immediate. “He wouldn’t have risked himself to save you if he would harm an innocent woman. No, you wouldn’t be in physical danger, but he might take steps to ensure you don’t tell anyone.”

“He’d keep me prisoner?” she whispered.

“Who knows?” He shrugged. “He would certainly keep you close.”

Just like Alexander was right now. “I can’t un-see it. But I’m not going to tell anyone… anyone else.”

“I hope not.”

She swallowed, notched up her chin. “Why do you care? You don’t even believe he exists.” Or perhaps he cared very much. If only she could escape the alcohol-induced fog. Suddenly, everything was too intense – the boat, the night, him. “I think we should go back now.”

“But you haven’t had dinner yet. We had a deal.”

“That was before.”

“Before what?”

Before she wondered who he really was. Before it was possible he had some connection to a supernatural creature. Before he could be a supernatural creature.

“I wanted to ask about the relics.”

His words brought stark relief, and an end to dangerous topics.

She relaxed as he questioned her about the company and its products.

He seemed particularly interested in where she had gotten a few pieces, and she answered honestly.

Afterwards they discussed general business matters.

Time flowed like the wine of earlier, and soon a melodic ringing intruded into their conversation.

“Time for dinner.” Alexander rose and helped her to her feet. She swayed slightly – the alcohol was still affecting her, although its effects had lessened somewhat. He brought her to a candlelit table with plush velvet chairs. “Be right back.”

Without his distracting presence, uncertainties – and suspicions – returned. Could Alexander be more than he seemed, more than human ? Yet how could it be? He was a powerful man, but he was just a man. Anything else was preposterous.

Yet she’d already seen the impossible.

Alexander returned with two gleaming silver platters. He placed them on the table, then lifted the tops to reveal plates of steaming baked ziti covered in hearty tomato sauce and melted mozzarella. The scent of oregano and fresh cheese filled the air, as he lowered a basket of crusty garlic bread.

Her mouth watered at the savory fare. “I skipped lunch, which is probably why the alcohol is hitting me so hard.”

He frowned. “You shouldn’t skip meals.”

“Yes, sir.” She made a mock salute. His stern look made her giggle.

He softened. “Maybe food will lighten the effects of the alcohol.” He poured them glasses of water from a silver pitcher. Like a gentleman, he waited until she picked up her fork before he did the same.

She scooped up a bite. “Mmm.” The flavor of fresh tomatoes and mozzarella burst into her mouth, savory, hot and delicious, spices blended together in perfect harmony. Next, she bit into the steaming garlic bread. Crisp on the outside, hot buttery goodness on the inside, it was divine.

“I take it you like it?” Alexander smiled.

Alcohol definitely bit into your most refined manners, but he didn’t seem to care. She picked up the napkin and wiped her mouth. “Yes, thank you. This is wonderful.”

“I’m glad you like it. My chef is magic with food.”