18. Typhon

18

TYPHON

I held Eliza close while she trembled and shuddered in my arms. I understood her tears. I too was moved by the power of our lovemaking. So much so, that I told her for the second time that I wanted us to marry.

The first time I said it, was the night we met, mere minutes before Saint had walked into the pub. I knew then I couldn't walk away, regardless of how close they were. My desire for Eliza far outweighed my hatred for her cousin.

Then, she thought I was joking. Now, she had to know I wasn't. I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her fingertips. "Tell me what you're thinking."

Her eyes bored into mine. "I cannot," she whispered.

"Then, I will tell you."

"Levi—" Her words choked on her quick intake of breath.

"Let me."

She nodded. "Okay."

"I said once that our souls yearned to be together, perhaps even before we met, and that is why when you first saw me and I, you, it felt like we were struck by lightning. It was like I already knew you. Already loved you."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"Please tell me I'm not terrifying you."

She smiled. "Not at all. I could say the very same things to you."

"I can't explain it, and I don't need to. What I feel for you is too strong to describe with words other than what I've already said."

As much as I wanted to stay inside her forever, I eased my softening cock from her body. "Do not move."

I rolled from the bed, disposed of the condom, and grabbed another from the drawers hidden behind one of the wall panels. I looked up and into the mirror on the back wall before closing it on a man I didn't recognize.

More often than not, I looked angry. The hard edges of the life I led reflected themselves in the angles of my face. Pain, regret, struggle, purpose, and sometimes, pride lived in deep lines I was too young to have.

My dark eyes were haunted by the things I'd seen, more by the things I'd done. Too many times, I questioned right from wrong as I spent sleepless nights tossing and turning.

I had no questions now. The woman waiting for me in my bed belonged here. I knew it as well as I did my own name. This, I didn't question. This, I wouldn't wonder about later. The only thing I didn't know was how in the hell I'd leave her when the next message came in, saying I was needed.

Could I put her need for me first? Could I walk away from what I'd once believed gave purpose to my life? If after making love to her only once I was considering doing so, it had to mean I would.

I returned to the bedroom, pressing a switch on my way. A small door opened to a shelf built into the wall. Beneath it was a chiller. I pulled out a bottle of water, opened it, and handed it to El, then set the condoms on the shelf.

When she gave the bottle back to me, I finished what was in it, then lay beside her, trailing my fingers over her naked flesh. I pressed a kiss on her shoulder, then looked into her turquoise eyes when she turned toward me.

I didn't have the words to convey all I was thinking. Too many thoughts about our future raced through my head.

El rested her palms on my chest, right above my heart. The warmth of her touch spread from there to the rest of my body, like a drug in my veins.

Neither of us spoke as our hands learned each other's bodies until long after the sun had gone down. I lit a fire to warm us and kept us both hydrated with water from the chiller. We took turns washing each other in the steamy bath. All the while, we were silent. The only movement of our lips were kisses.

There were many things I longed to say, but I didn't want to break the magical spell swirling around us. I sensed she felt the same way.

We slept for a while, and when I woke, she was studying me.

"Levi," she whispered.

I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her palm. "El."

"Is this real?" she kept her voice soft, like a caress.

"It's the realest thing I've ever known." I swirled her nipple with my fingertip, loving that she hadn't covered herself even in the chill of the room before I lit the fire. "I wish I could keep you this way forever. Naked, always ready for my touch."

"Our children would experience a far different upbringing than the one I had."

I laughed at the mischief in her eyes, but the idea that we would make a family together settled inside me like an oath.

"As much as I don't want to leave this room or this bed, it just dawned on me that we haven't eaten since this morning. You must be ravenous." I released her and rolled from the bed. "Come. I'll feed you."

Eliza stood and looked around the room.

"What do you need?" I asked.

"As much as I'd like to fulfill your fantasy of always being naked, it may have to be something I work up to."

"I left your bag downstairs." I pressed another panel built into the wall and pulled a dress shirt from a hanger.

"Is everything hidden away?" she asked.

"The home's designer was very particular about aesthetics and clean lines, but not necessarily concerned with convenience or practicality. It took some time before I could remember where I'd put everything."

I held the shirt open, and El slid her arms in the sleeves, then rolled them to her elbows. It hung down past her knees, but she didn't seem to mind, nor did she mention the need for knickers.

"I'll give you the rest of the tour after we eat, then maybe you'd like to take a dip in the pool."

El tapped her lip with her fingertip. "I suppose that depends on how long the rest of the tour lasts and whether I have to be fully dressed again before we begin."

"Interesting. I'll admit I hadn't thought of it. But since you did…" I winked and set two of the platters I'd had one of the Quinta Do Lago restaurants deliver in anticipation of our arrival. In the same way I'd requested the bath be filled and heated, I expected the pool would be as well.

"Wow," Eliza exclaimed. "This looks fabulous."

I'd requested a selection of chilled seafood, along with cheeses, cured meats, fruit, and freshly made bread.

"Would you care for a glass of wine?" I asked, pulling out a bottle of rosé.

"I'd love it. Anything I can do to help?"

"Would you prefer to sit inside or out?"

El shivered. "While warmer than Brighton, I fear it's still a bit chilly for me."

"How did you manage in Edinburgh?"

"Down jackets, jumpers, corduroy trousers, heavy socks, boots, and then when I ventured out of doors…"

My eyes met hers, and she winked.

Eliza ate as voraciously as she had at breakfast, but still consumed only a quarter of what I had.

"How do you stay so fit?" she asked when I leaned against the chair and rubbed my stomach.

"There is a full gym downstairs. I make good use of it when I'm here."

"And when you're not?"

"There's also one in my flat in London, although not quite as big."

"Are women allowed in your workout room?"

I leaned forward and wove my fingers with hers. "Only one woman."

She raised a brow.

"I've never brought anyone else here, Eliza. Until I met you, I doubted I ever would."

"And now that I've broken the place in?"

"We'll spend our time here making this as much yours as it is mine."

The playful expression left her face, and I squeezed her fingers. "I can't help it. Once I find something I want, I'm relentless. In this case, it's someone rather than something."

She pulled her hand from mine, but she didn't appear angry, only thoughtful.

"Once you get what you want, what happens?"

"I keep her forever."

"I've another question," she said.

"Go ahead."

"Why do you call this Casa Melro?"

"Tomorrow, I'll take you up to the roof, and you will have your answer." I took a deep breath. "El?"

She'd been looking out at the pool but turned to me. "Yes?"

"I've alluded to what I do for a living more than once without mentioning specifics."

Her eyes were wide. "Go on."

"I am the commander of an elite unit. We carry out clandestine missions, none of which the media knows about. For now, that is about all I can tell you."

She cocked her head. "I didn't ask, Levi."

"I know, and the reason I told you is because it speaks to the kind of man I am. My personality, if you will." I scrubbed my face with my hand. "When we were outside your building, I said something about not allowing you to take a car service."

She smiled. "I remember."

"And yesterday, err, last night...I can be demanding."

El reached across the table, and I took her hand. "They're two very different things, Levi. The first, I didn't care for. The second, as you're well aware, I liked very much."

I weaved our fingers together. "If I ever offend you, please do not hesitate to let me know."

"As my cousin will attest, I am not one to keep it a secret."

I winced at the mention of Saint, wishing I hadn't.

"I'm sorry. I'll try not to refer to him, but Levi, Niven is a big part of my life. I think I mentioned I don't have much of a relationship with my parents, which means he's all I have. Well, and Harper and the baby once she's born."

"She's having a girl, then?" I asked, wanting to get off the subject of Saint as quickly as possible.

"According to Harper, although Niv may have said the doctor's confirmed it."

"I don't want him to come between us."

"Neither do I." She took a deep breath. "Now, there's something I need to tell you."