Page 76 of Wrathful King

I couldn’t resist her, so of course we played darts.

She tilted her head. “No darts today. How about Greece after Sri Lanka? We could stop at a few cool spots on our way there.”

My shoulders stiffened at the coincidence.It has to be, I told myself.

Keeping my tone casual, I asked, “Have you ever been?” She shook her head. “Then Greece is our next destination.”

Finally, her hesitant smile turned into a real one. “But today it’s Sri Lanka.”

“Today it’s you and me in paradise,” I agreed.

28

REINA

“They call this island the pearl of the Indian Ocean.” Amon’s yacht was anchored a mile from the shoreline, and even from here, I could see its natural beauty rising above the clear turquoise water. “Want to walk the beach?”

I turned to look at him, rolling my eyes.

“Is that even a question?” Sri Lanka was famous for its picturesque beaches, and it’d make no sense to be here and not experience them. The sound of the waves was a steady presence and the scent of the ocean drifted through the air.

The clear blue sky above us made the water sparkle under the afternoon sun. And there was Amon, leaning over the railing with his arms crossed, wearing his swimming shorts and white polo shirt. His eyes hid behind sunglasses, but even still, I could picture the stars that shone in them. For me. The boy from all those years ago lingered beneath the surface, but a harshness and ruthlessness dominated his features. It was etched into his furrowed brows, set jaw, and firm line of his lips.

My hand came up to my necklace, twisting the pendants. It didn’t matter to me how much he’d changed. He had been saving me since our first encounter, and my trust in him was unwavering.

His stars shone just forme.

He raised a brow. “You okay? Did you get a text?” I shook my head. “A call?”

“There were a few messages from the girls. Everyone’s fine.” I grinned. “Should we just swim to shore?”

He removed his shades, uncovering his beautiful eyes, and discarded them on the nearby table.

“You’re on, cinnamon girl.” I dropped my cover-up, thankful I opted for a one-piece so nobody could see the worst of my scars, and started to run to the back of the yacht.

I glanced over my shoulder just as he was pulling his shirt over his head. “Catch me if you can!”

An easy laugh broke free from my mouth. I got to the end of the yacht and jumped without stopping. The water enveloped me as I went deeper and deeper into the cold, but this wasn’t the darkness. My eyes wide open, I could see fish bolting away from me, the sun above the surface, and Amon diving in to meet me.

His hand reached for mine and I took it, then we started kicking our way to the surface together.

It didn’t take us long before my feet touched the soft sand. My toes curled into its warmth, the sun throwing its rays over our skin. But it was Amon who took my breath away. He stood like a god amidst our very own paradise, a mischievous, playful gleam in his eyes.

He charged toward me and I let out a squeal, running back into the water. Just the way the fish had when they rushed to get away from me. First right, then left. I didn’t stop, my feet splashing over the shallow blue water. My toes dug into the wet sand, clouds puffing up around them.

I could hear splashing behind me. He was closing in, and I felt a strange sense of excitement take over. A grin on my face and the water up to my waist, I chanced a glance over my shoulder. There was no trace of Amon.

I faltered, the first flicker of fear making its way up my chest. Where did he go? Did he leave me? Panic flared, my mind feeding it—

My thoughts came to a halt when something touched my calf. I shrieked but it was cut short when a firm grip yanked me under. The cold water engulfed me and strong hands wrapped around me.

Fear was replaced by a sense of security as I was led back to the surface. I inhaled a lungful of air, my fingers holding on to his muscular shoulders.

Blinking away the water from my eyes, Amon’s drenched face came into focus. “Got you.”

He did get me. Always.

Acting on impulse, I leaned forward and crushed my mouth against his.