Page 32 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

She picked up a vase, put it down when the remnants of a discount store price tag peeked out. “No, although I was considering painting my business partner’s Ferrari neon pink with yellow stripes. What do you think?”

“I wouldn’t advise it.” He straightened his sleeves. “After that, he could blackmail you for anything. Although…” He winked. “It might just be worthwhile.”

What would he demand in payment? She fanned herself as the temperature rose a thousand or so degrees.

She hadn’t managed a response when he stopped, his visage hardening as he walked to a table stacked with precariously perched books.

Somehow he managed to grab one in the middle without anything falling.

He opened it, shut it quickly. He perused every other book on the table, before turning to her.

“We only have a few hours before the press conference. Do you want something to eat?”

That was a sudden change. “What did you find? Can I see it?” She held out her hand for the book.

“It’s nothing.” He moved back, covering the title with his palm. “It just caught my attention.”

It was the same thing he’d said about the relic in her apartment. She peered closer, then gave a slight gasp. “Hey, I recognize the writing. It’s identical to the book you took from my storage room.”

He glanced at the antique. “Is it?”

Yes, it was. The intelligent man couldn’t possibly have missed something so obvious. “Is it for the store?”

“No.” He turned the book so it was out of her sight. “I’m keeping this one. It just seems unusual.”

The vague response was no answer. She’d selected a dozen items for New Age Treasures, but, despite his interest, Alexander hadn’t chosen everything before now. What was he hiding? “I’m ready to go,” she said quietly.

The mood was heavier as they strode to the cashier, who once again simpered over Alexander.

Everleigh just managed to refrain from commenting as Alexander paid for the items, the book with his personal card and the others with the business account.

They remained silent as they returned to the car and pulled onto the street. “Where would you like to eat?”

She bit back a demand to return home, a useless exercise with a man who overcame all challenges. Perhaps she could conduct a little investigating of her own. “I’m open to anything, as long as it’s reasonable. I’m on a budget.”

He frowned. “You think I’d take a woman to lunch and expect her to pay?”

“It’s a business lunch.” She ignored his raised eyebrow, settling back into the buttery seat as they drove past rows of palm trees, colorfully dressed pedestrians and Art Deco apartment buildings.

Up above the sky was an endless expanse of blue, the land flat and wide, a beautiful backdrop to the lush tropical plants and fun flavor of South Florida.

Yet despite its beauty, her thoughts didn’t stray from the man next to her.

She could no longer pretend their relationship was only business.

The more he proved he wasn’t a villain, the harder it was to ignore his charm and kindness, among a thousand other qualities.

It was obvious why millions of women fawned over him.

It wasn’t about the money, fame or power – no, the appeal was all his own. It was powerful. It was dangerous.

It was all-too-tempting.

They didn’t talk as he drove further and further east, until they could travel no more without a boat. He parked at a private lot across the street from the beach. “Don’t tell me we’re going on another cruise,” she warned as he opened the door.

“We’re not.” He closed the door behind her. “I thought you enjoyed the water.”

“That was before I drank too much, witnessed a life-threatening disaster and got locked in a cabin.”

He shrugged. “We won’t be boating for a few weeks.”

A few weeks? She bit back a protest as he led her to a building on the edge of the beach. Smooth and stark white, the modern structure boasted the simple name “Sea Restaurant.” They walked through glass doors into a space anything but simple.

Hundreds of crystals dripped from the ceiling, like the waves of the ocean across a twilight blue expanse.

Curved glass tables gleamed, each crowned with a silver metal sculpture and surrounded by tall, spindly chairs.

Modern artwork graced the walls, swirling glass of different colors that transformed under the crystal lights.

Lilting classical music played a poignant backdrop to light conversation, from a live quartet.

Despite the early hour, the restaurant was full of patrons in crisp business suits and elegant dinner attire.

Several were politicians and even an actor or two, and she realized why it seemed familiar.

There had been an article about it in the Miami Herald, proclaiming it one of the city’s premier restaurants.

It was also definitely not in her budget. “We can’t eat here,” she whispered.

A host greeted them before he could respond. “Good afternoon, Mr. Stone. We’ve been expecting you. If you’ll come this way, we’ll show you to your usual table.”

Alexander grasped her hand. “Perfect.”

Even if she wanted to protest, she couldn’t make a scene at the upscale restaurant.

People nodded, waved and smiled as they threaded through the luxurious aisles, past the dining hall, and into another full room.

They continued through a long glass hallway, and then a tunnel.

She shifted closer to Alexander. “Are we going to your secret lair?”

He leaned down. “My secret lair is far more secure than this. No one gets in or out without my permission.”

If he wanted to jest, she could play along. “What do you do in your secret lair? Make decisions that affect the entire world?”

“Occasionally.”

It was almost believable. The powerful man already controlled his world. “Will I ever get an invitation to your lair?”

He cocked his head to the side, as if truly considering the possibility. “That’s a very serious question. There are consequences when you infiltrate a secret lair.”

“You’d silence me?” she ventured.

He gave a dark smile. “You’ve been reading too many spy novels. Sacrificing good people because they know too much is old-fashioned and just plain wasteful. Of course, that doesn’t mean there wouldn’t be consequences.” He straightened to his full height. “I’d have to ensure you didn’t tell anyone.”

She swallowed a lump of air. “How would you do that?”

“Simple. I would keep you.”

Breathe.

It was not easy as heat traced her spine, like an electric eel tightening its grip. Although he had to be jesting, his eyes were dark, his expression sober. She hadn’t formulated a response as they stepped through one last doorway, and then all conversation faded into the background.

They were at an aquarium. No, they were in an aquarium.

It was like being the fish in a fish tank, only the tank was all around them. Every inch – the furniture, the walls, even the ceiling – was glass, and beyond it, blue waters. Fish swam and swirled round them, a dazzling array of sea life in their natural world. She gasped as a dolphin soared by.

“As requested, a private room.” The waiter gestured toward the single table. Crafted of pure glass, it seemed part of the sea itself. Crystal glasses and gleaming golden silverware made two elegant place settings.

Alexander led her to a wide chair, before sitting directly across the intimate table. The waiter listed the specials of the day and poured them each a glass of an expensive Chablis. With a formal bow, he left, pledging to return soon for their orders.

“This is beautiful.” Everleigh lifted a silky white napkin and smoothed it on her lap. “I was with you the entire time. When did you make a reservation, and how did you know I would agree to it?”

He took a sip of wine.

“Let me guess.” She sat back. “You weren’t planning on asking.”

He showed no remorse. “You would’ve insisted on fast food. Even you admitted this is beautiful. I wanted to share it with you.”

“It is amazing.” A quartet of angelfish swam by, their wispy tails swirling as they glided through the sea. She forced her gaze away from the captivating scene. “It must also cost a fortune. I wanted to pay for myself.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “You have quite the stubborn streak, Miss Lacey.”

“So do you.” She couldn’t explain it, but allowing him to pay seemed substantial somehow, like she was accepting him into her life. “I don’t want to be indebted to you.”

“Letting me treat you to lunch won’t put you in my debt. But if you want to pay, I won’t stop you. I just need time to consider the payment.”

“I’m not paying you. I’m paying the restaurant.”

“Of course.” He nodded. “However, it’s the same thing.”

“How could it be–” She stopped, blinked. “Please don’t tell me you own the restaurant.”

He said nothing.

“Well?”

His eyes sparkled with mischief. “Well, what?”

“Do you own the restaurant?”

“You asked me not to tell you.”

“Ugh.” She rubbed her forehead. “What do I owe you?”

“What can you offer me?”

Was he suggesting she offer herself? Heat ignited, flaring into a firestorm. His sapphire eyes shone so brilliantly they were almost other-earthly, as he held her in thrall. She fought the urge to touch the source of heat.

She reacted the only way she could: with righteous indignation.

She shot up. The silverware flew to the ground with a loud clang, but she didn’t care as she strode the few steps to him. “I don’t know what you’re suggesting, Mr. Stone, but I’m not offering myself.”

He stood up, too, and suddenly she was looking up, up, up, at the huge warrior more than a foot above her. Powerful muscles flexed. “Didn’t we cover this already?” His voice was deep, dark. “At our first meeting?”

Their first meeting seemed so long ago, even if it had only been little more than a week. She’d misinterpreted his innocent actions back then. Was she doing it again? “You’re not suggesting anything beyond a professional relationship?”

He gave a predatory smile. “I didn’t say that.” He took a step closer, invading her space. “I’m not asking for payment, and I’m not blackmailing you. Of course, I am a gentleman and would never ask for physical recompense. But I am willing to use my… abilities… to get what I want.”

She shouldn’t ask. Shouldn’t respond. And yet she simply couldn’t stop herself. With a whisper as silky as the angelfish’s tail, she murmured. “What do you want?”

He straightened, focusing all the power that was Alexander Stone directly at her. “You.”