Page 29 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

He gave an easy nod, which elicited a ridiculous amount of disappointment. “I’ll lead you through the dining room.” She followed him through the elaborate portal, yet stopped steps into the cavernous room.

Golden platters held a feast to feed a hundred.

The gourmet dishes rivaled Bon Appétit’s luscious fare, masterpieces including brioche French toast covered in juicy strawberries, fluffy scrambled eggs, perfectly roasted potatoes and thick blueberry pancakes, garnished with brilliant purple orchids.

Their savory aromas scented the room, combining with the mouth-watering flavors of fresh cakes and coffee. “Where did all this come from?”

He waved his hand at the extensive buffet, his nonchalance more appropriate for a cereal bar with two flavors of oatmeal. “Several friends are coming over. My chef put a little something together.”

“A little something? It looks like you’re serving a royal wedding, and not from a small country. How many guests are you expecting?”

He shrugged. “People come and go all day.”

Alexander possessed a vast network of family, friends and business associates, but this was not the sort of meal you offered for anything less than a special occasion. “Is this how you’ve been successful? Tempt everyone with food?”

He didn’t deny it. “Don’t feel obligated to try anything. I know you have to go home. Something about washing your hair, right?”

She should give a smart-ass response and walk out, but the scent of freshly baked muffins beckoned her, and her stomach growled a command to stay.

“This is the same chef as yesterday? The one who made dinner on the yacht?” In a night of murky memories, she remembered the savory meal. And the kiss. Well, mostly the kiss.

“That’s right.”

Her stomach growled louder, threatening retribution should she walk away from this spread for the one flavor of oatmeal at her apartment. “Perhaps I’ll stay for just a little bit, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course,” he said smoothly.

And just like that he triumphed. Again.

Alexander lifted two gleaming porcelain plates from a tall stack and handed one to her. She traced the engraved edges of an intricate family crest. “This is beautiful. Does it represent your family?”

“It does.” He grasped a pair of ornate silver tongs and placed a thick pancake on each plate. “We’re very proud of our origins.”

She peered closer at the heavy dinnerware.

Unique symbols swirled in circular patterns, flanking a coat of arms intertwined with mythical creatures.

It was gorgeous and stunning, and she’d never seen anything like it.

“I’ve researched genealogy, but I don’t recognize these symbols. Where does your family originate?”

“All over really.” He scooped a hearty portion of potatoes onto each dish. “It’s a bit complicated to research.”

“I can help you if you’d like,” she offered.

“I appreciate it. Perhaps another time.” Yet his tone conveyed no true interest, and another time would likely be never. Suspicion rose anew, emboldened by the mystery surrounding Alexander Stone.

After filling the plates with a sample of nearly all the dishes, he led her to a table for two, already set with gleaming silverware.

Always the gentleman, he held out a chair for her, before sitting down.

She lifted one of the forks artfully placed on the gold-threaded linen and pierced a small piece of steaming French toast. She took a bite.

Perfection. The fluffy delicacy was hot and sweet as it melted in her mouth. Creamy butter moistened it, powdered sugar adding the ideal amount of sweetness. She took another bite and another, until somehow she’d eaten the entire slice with barely a breath.

“I take it you approve?”

She wiped her mouth with a delicate lace napkin. “I take back what I said earlier. Someone definitely has magic in this house.”

He started. “I’m sorry?”

“This–” She pointed to her plate. “Is magic.”

“Ah.” He relaxed. “I’m glad you like it.”

“Like isn’t the word.” She took another bite, this time of crispy, perfectly-seasoned potatoes. “If I can’t steal your chef, I might come over for all my meals.”

She expected a joking denial, instead got a rather serious, “Excellent idea.”

Time for a subject change. “What do you do during the weekends?”

“It depends.” He sipped orange juice from a crystal goblet. “Sometimes I work or go on a trip. I usually get together with family and friends. A group comes over every Saturday to discuss matters.”

“Matters?” Everleigh bit into a buttery blueberry muffin. “What type of matters?”

“Nothing in particular.” He waved off her query. “Before they arrive, I wanted to discuss something.” His gaze softened. “The kiss.”

The muffin turned to sawdust in her mouth. She wiped her lips, lowered her fork. “There’s nothing to discuss. I had too much to drink, and there was the whole ‘romantic dinner under the stars’ thing. You apologized, and now we can pretend it never happened.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

She looked up sharply. “What?”

“I won’t forget, and neither will you.”

“But you acted like it was a mistake.” She pointed at him. “You said you were sorry.”

“I apologized for the timing, not the kiss.” He regarded her steadily. “Tell me, what did you think of the kiss?”

Delicious. Amazing. Yum.

“I see.” Pure male satisfaction graced his expression.

“It was just a kiss! I mean it was a nice kiss – a very, very nice kiss….” She exhaled. How do you minimize the best kiss of your life? She could never forget being in his arms, or what happened after.

“You can’t deny the chemistry.”

She waved her napkin. “Sure, I can.”

He grasped it. “No, you can’t. So why are you trying?”

She bit her lip, cutting off all excuses and denials.

A man like Alexander Stone did casual relationships, one-night stands and friends with benefits and those sorts of beasts.

Unless you were an A-list movie star or royalty at a nice-sized European country, you didn’t have a hope of an actual relationship with a man like that.

He couldn’t possibly be considering more with her.

“You’ve already taken my company and my choices,” she said quietly.

“Others may let you control their lives, but not me.”

“You make me sound like some sort of ruler.”

If the crown fits… “You’re used to getting what you want. For the most part, the world is happy to oblige. I’m the one thing you can’t have.”

His eyes blazed in challenge. Yet further protest died on her lips when low conversation emerged from the other end of the dining room. Guests were entering from an outside entrance at a rapid rate, signaling that, at least for now, the conversation was over.

She hadn’t known what to expect when Alexander said he was entertaining, but it certainly wasn’t this.

The eclectic group numbered dozens and contained a wide variety of people, from young children to teenagers to the elderly.

They were of different nationalities and ethnicities, some in gorgeous authentic clothing and hairstyles.

Everleigh put down her napkin and stood.

Every single one of them stopped and stared.

Heat crept up her neck. As always, Alexander took control. “Good morning, everyone. I’d like you to meet Everleigh Lacey, CEO of New Age Treasures. She’s one of my recent acquisitions.”

She stiffened. “You mean the business is your acquisition.”

Slow smiles emerged from the group, followed by a chorus of “Good mornings” and “How are you’s?” Some waved and others nodded, but they all seemed extraordinary happy to see her. “I’m sorry to intrude.” She shifted awkwardly. “Is this some sort of club?”

“You could say that.” Alexander stood. “We have shared… interests.”

What interests could all these people possibly share? Yet she didn’t ask as an attractive woman with long blond hair and striking green eyes stepped forward. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Kyla, and we’re glad you’re here.”

“She’s a famous scientist,” one of the children hissed in a loud whisper, to giggles from his friends.

“I don’t know about famous.” Kyla gave a friendly smile. “I’ve uncovered a few mysteries.” Various members of the group exchanged grins. An inside joke? “How long have you and Alexander been together?”

“Together? Oh no, you have the wrong idea.” Everleigh shook her head so swiftly, her neck ached. “I mean, I just spent the night.”

The smiles widened.

“I didn’t mean it that way. I mean I did spend the night, but not… well…”

“It was a chaotic night,” Alexander elaborated. “It was more convenient for her to stay in the guest bedroom than go home.”

“Exactly!” Everleigh exhaled. “We’re just business partners.”

“My mistake,” Kyla corrected. Yet her smile was wide and genuine, amidst knowing glances from the others. It was like being a child at an adult’s party, where everyone knew a secret they weren’t sharing. “I look forward to seeing more of you.”

“You probably won’t.” Everleigh blushed. “Not that I wouldn’t want to see you, but I probably won’t be back.”

“Certainly.” Kyla’s eyes shone brightly.

“I’d better go. It was a pleasure to meet you.

” Everleigh nodded at Kyla and gave a quick wave to the rest of the group as she crossed the room, with Alexander close by her side.

Excited chatter sounded behind them, louder as they exited.

“They seem nice.” Everleigh kept her voice low. “They come every weekend?”

He nodded.

Interesting… and curious. “What interests do you share?”

“Nothing really specific,” he answered vaguely. He continued before she could inquire further, “Your car has been fixed and is at your house. I’ll drop you off.”

“Thank you.” She followed him into a long garage, where rows of expensive cars gleamed under artificial lights.

No doubt each could pay for her home, with enough left over for furnishings.

Alexander led her to a cherry red Ferrari and held the door open.

She couldn’t quite ignore his muscular form as he folded himself into the cockpit, or the memories of touching it.

Like Alexander, the engine’s power was apparent. The car glided over the pavement as they exited the garage and travelled down the long driveway. He passed through the security gate, but stopped short as another car pulled out directly in front of them.

Alexander swore.

She peered closer, but the passengers were unrecognizable behind heavily tinted glass.

That changed when the two men exited, the same who’d come yesterday: Dr. Garrison and Agent Andrews.

As Alexander stared grimly at his uninvited guests, a thousand suspicions returned, and a million thoughts she’d attributed to alcohol.

Why had they returned? What did they suspect? Most importantly…

What did they want with Alexander?