Page 69 of The Empress

He lets go of me to open the doors. When we step outside, I take a sip of the fizzy orange-flavored drink that I’ve grown quite fond of.

It’s a little cooler tonight, but nothing near as cold as it would be in Whitefish.

“What are the winters like here?” I ask.

“They’re not bad. The nights get cold with the wind coming from the ocean.”

We take the steps down to the beach, and after walking for a while, Leo shrugs off his jacket. I stop beside him and watch as he lays it down on the sand before he gestures for me to sit.

Okay, I’m not going to lie. That’s kind of sweet.

When I sit down, I push the bottom of the can into the sand so it doesn’t topple over.

Leo takes a seat right beside me, our sides and arms touching.

He folds his one leg at the knee and rests his arm on it before looking at me.

I cross my legs beneath me and stare at the ocean while Leo’s eyes don’t leave me for a second.

“You’re making me feel self-conscious,” I mutter.

“Why?”

“Because you keep looking at me.”

“Why does that make you self-conscious?”

I shrug and scoop some sand into my right hand before letting the grains sift through my fingers. “It just does.”

“Can you blame me?” he murmurs, his voice taking on that seductive tone that has weird hypnotic powers over me. “Howcan I not stare at the most beautiful woman on this planet? It’s impossible to look away. You’re an incredible work of art.”

I’m overwhelmed by Leo and let out a nervous chuckle while my face heats up.

I lean back and glance up at the night sky while muttering, “Look at the stars, Leo. They’re much prettier.”

He lies back onto the sand, pushing his arm beneath his head to use it as a pillow. Patting his chest, he says, “Lie down.”

I know I told Mom earlier that we have to make the best of our situation, but maybe this is taking things too far.

Should I fight harder or just make peace with the fact that I’m married to Leo?

“Stop overthinking it,” he murmurs, his tone almost sounding gentle. “Please lie down, Haven.”

This friendly and seductive version of Leo is much better than the asshole he was when he kidnapped me and forced me to marry him.

Wanting the weird peace between us to last longer, I lie down and rest my head on his shoulder. His arm wraps around me, and I’m pressed to his chest. I feel his breath warm my hair right before he kisses the top of my head.

It’s good to know he can be gentle.

Looking at the stars twinkling far above us, I remember the flashback I had earlier and whisper, “Stellina.”

Leo tenses beside me, and I instantly feel a shift in his demeanor.

The peaceful moment vanishes, and when I tilt my head backward, I see his features are drawn tight as if he’s in pain.

“Did I do something wrong?” I ask as I begin to sit up.

His arm tightens around me and keeps me pressed to his side while he shakes his head. “Just never say that word again.”