Page 28 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

“Impossible,” she breathed to no one, as she grabbed her purse and strode to the door. She held her breath, exhaled when it opened easily. It led to the same hallway from the party, which appeared empty. She strode to Alexander’s bedroom, stopped with her hand poised on the knob.

Why should she wake him? She could leave quietly and catch up with him Monday morning. And if it meant she wouldn’t have to confront him about the kiss replaying for the thousandth time, that was simply a bonus. She strode past his door, stopped after two steps.

She pivoted to face the spacious corridor.

Ornate doors lined the hall, hidden rooms with the potential to answer questions she could never ask.

Mysteries had always fascinated her, and no matter what, Alexander Stone was definitely that.

Of course, it would be completely inappropriate to investigate, yet it was also inappropriate to steal someone’s company.

She stepped toward the nearest door.

She tried the handle, couldn’t stop a thrill when it turned easily in her hand. She pushed it open, wider and wider–

“Can I help you?”

She jumped at the baritone voice of the man she knew so well.

Alexander was calm, powerful and perfectly in control as he towered above her, his gaze penetrating.

He wore blue jeans and a black t-shirt stretched taut against his broad chest, his muscular arms folded, his stance perfectly straight.

He stepped forward, surrounding her with the scent of his spicy cologne.

How had he moved so silently? It was as if he appeared out of nowhere. “Where did you come from?”

“My room. I can move very quietly when I want to.”

“Like teleportation?” she blurted out.

His cool demeanor slipped, challenge burning in his brilliant eyes. A second later, he once again held perfect control. “Excuse me?”

She stretched her lips into a thin smile. “I’m kidding. What happened last night?”

A furrow appeared between his brows, and for a moment he seemed almost indecisive. An instant later, he straightened. “I’d like to apologize.”

Memories of the previous night flooded her, and her grin faded. “You’d better apologize. You locked me in your bedroom!”

“Ah, yes. I’m not sorry for that.”

“Well, I don’t want your apology – Wait, what?”

His face turned stern. “You were trying to jump overboard. I’m not sorry I stopped you.”

She opened her mouth, closed it. “You might be in charge of my company, but you’re not responsible for me. I wasn’t going for a midnight swim. I was trying to save people!”

“It was unnecessary,” he rumbled. “The passengers are safe.”

“I know.” She held up her phone. “I read the article, or rather articles, about how a mysterious man saved the family, then disappeared. The same man from the tornado and the magic show.”

“What makes you think it’s the same person?” he countered. “Not that I believe there was a man in the tornado.”

“It’s not just my opinion.” She scrolled through the articles. “Experts analyzed the videos, and they believe the same man performed all three rescues.”

“People are seeing what they want to see.” He gestured toward the small screen. “A good Samaritan saved a family from a fire. It happens all the time. He’s probably an off-duty fire-fighter.”

It was a possibility, far more logical than some sort of magic, and yet it seemed too perfect. It was like Alexander was trying to fit a square puzzle piece into a circular opening, yet no matter how hard he pushed, it never quite fit. “Then how did he disappear?”

“The news story said he jumped into the water. That’s hardly disappearing.” He waved off the phone. “He probably didn’t want all the attention, so he swam to where he could escape.”

She held up her hands. “How? It’s not a public beach where he could vanish into a crowd of people. The helicopters had search lights everywhere. They would’ve seen him.”

“Maybe he got on a boat.”

“The only boat next to him was ours .”

They glared at each other, a perfect match of clenched fists and board-straight postures. “Why are you so interested in him?” he demanded. “Isn’t it enough the people are safe?”

“Of course. But someone saved me, and I just want to understand it. Understand him .” Her voice softened. “What really happened last night?”

He hesitated for a sliver of a second. Was he trying to formulate an excuse – or decide what to reveal?

“There’s not much to tell. After I left you, I called the authorities.

We turned the ship around and returned to port, and by then, you were fast asleep.

I didn’t feel comfortable dropping you off after you’d had so much to drink, so I brought you here. That’s it.”

The story sounded logical, likely even, with one problem. It wasn’t true. “You didn’t turn the boat around immediately. I yelled for minutes, and we were in the same position.”

“Can you say that with certainty?” he postured. “You drank a lot last night.”

That was true. Memories were foggy, and it wasn’t impossible her perception of time had suffered.

She rubbed her forehead, smoothing against the piercing pain, the migraine rising with every word.

His argument was far more reasonable than him somehow having powers.

Chances were a random person saw the fire and saved the family, slipping away to avoid unwanted attention.

“Of course, there’s the other possibility.”

She looked up. “The other possibility?”

“You were around at all the saves.” The corner of his mouth lifted. “Maybe it’s you.”

Even she couldn’t stop the smile. “You figured me out. I’m actually a six-foot three wizard with magical powers.” She scrunched up her nose. “You do realize I’m a woman, don’t you?”

His gaze smoldered. “I do.”

All at once, sizzling heat electrified the atmosphere, pure fire in the cool morning. She cleared her throat, wincing as another dagger-like pain sliced her temple.

He frowned. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” Except for the knife stabbing her brain. “A little hung over.”

“I’m sorry.” His voice was genuine. “Have you tried acupressure?” Before she could answer, he reached out, smoothing away her hair and brushing his fingers across the back of her neck.

Any inclination to retreat departed the second his hands started to work their magic.

Heady warmth spread through her neck and head, and then… the pain vanished.

For seconds, he didn’t move away. For seconds, she didn’t either.

Then he did, and though coldness came where his hand had been, the pain didn’t return. The other symptoms of the hangover – the nausea, sensitivity, muscle aches – also disappeared. “What did you do?”

He shrugged. “Like I said, acupressure.”

“I can’t imagine why the whole world doesn’t do this.” Yet as she rubbed her neck, something still seemed strange. If it was that effective, why didn’t the world do it?

“Are you hungry?”

She started at the sudden question, but swiftly shook her head. She was ravenous, yet food would wait until she returned home. She needed to get away from Alexander Stone and his dangerous effect on her.

Yet her stomach growled, and the corners of his mouth quirked up. “Are you sure? Breakfast should be ready by now.”

“I’m sure,” she forced out. “I have to shower and change.”

“I have showers here. Thirteen of them.”

His tone said he wasn’t joking. “I couldn’t impose.” If she showered in his house, she’d imagine him showering, and then she’d imagine showering with him, and then she’d imagine all the things they could do while showering, and then–

“Everleigh?” He most impolitely interrupted her showering fantasies. “Are you all right? If you’re worried about clothing, I have some you can wear.”

“Why do you have women’s clothing?” she blurted out, then blushed. “I’m sorry.”

His bemusement deepened. “Do you think I’d offer you clothing from a woman I’ve dated? Or that women regularly leave here without their clothing?”

“It’s really none of my business how many women you date or if they forget their clothing on the way out.” Her face flamed. “Forgive me,” she mumbled. “That wasn’t polite. I usually don’t get so worked up.”

“There’s no need for jealousy.” His eyes twinkled. “The clothing is brand new. Family and friends often stay, so I keep a few items in case anyone needs something.”

“That’s nice… wait, you think I’m jealous?”

His smile widened.

“Now hold on a second. I’m not jealous. Why would I be jealous? You’re my business partner. You’re welcome to all the women you want. You could have a thousand girlfriends for all I care.”

His lips twitched. “That sounds exhausting.”

No doubt he could manage it. Yet despite what he believed, he had no right to manage her. “Do you purposely dominate everyone around you?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Do I?”

“You locked me in your bedroom.”

“That was for your safety.”

“You kept me overnight without my permission.”

“You were in no position to go anywhere.”

“The first night we met, you forbade me from leaving your home.”

“So you wouldn’t get caught by the storm, which you were .”

“Don’t you see a pattern? You take charge – even when you have no right.”

“I like to take care of people.” He stepped closer, showing no remorse as he once more infiltrated her space. “It’s my job.”

“It’s not your job to care for me.” She lifted her chin, yet he didn’t respond, a clear response in itself. As desire surged once more, she resisted the urge to shorten the space between them. She had to leave before she did something she’d enjoy far too much.

Without another word, she pivoted, striding ahead through a breathtaking residence that played stark reminder of the differences between them.

He followed closely, traversing one exquisite room after the next, furnished with antiques, paintings and valuables, stopping just outside a dining room large enough for a state dinner.

A huge floor to ceiling window showed a sun halfway across the sky. “I’d better go.”