Chapter 3

Three

Astra

I hate to admit it, but I slept better in the satyr's house than I have in my life. Despite being promised to him, I don't feel like a captive. He believes I will keep my promise to stay for the week, and I will. After that, I'll figure out a new living arrangement. I'm never going back to my father's house.

I stretch in the bed and gaze out at the pinks and purples lighting the sky with the setting sun. From here, I can see my entire forest, and it's lovely. Sitting up, I note my luggage near the door and a large bag from a department store. Curious, I gather the bag and dump it out on the bed.

Jeans in several colors, shorts, dresses, blouses, shoes, and underthings the likes of which I've never worn tumble out.

There's a knock on my door.

"Yes?" I look up from the human clothes.

Niko steps in, leaving the door open. He looks from me to the bed. "I hope you don't mind. I asked Marissa to do me a favor and buy you a few things to wear. I assume what's in your valise is…nymphlike…and thought you might prefer human clothes."

My borrowed clothes are wrinkled and got a bit dirty when they fell off as I entered the tree. I rub a grass stain on the shirtsleeve. "That was thoughtful." I want to dislike him, but he makes it very difficult. "Thank you."

His kilt twitches. Turning slightly away, he nods. "I've made a salad and some fish. Paula said you rarely eat meat, but that you like fish."

Damn Paula for giving him any information. Though, I'm sure she only worries that I'll starve. I'd refuse to come to dinner, except my stomach is empty as I've not eaten since yesterday before Father told me about my impending marriage. Besides, I did say I would take my meals with him. Still, I feel foggy and grimy. "If you don't mind, I think I'll bathe and change before I come down."

He opens the door to his right. "Take your time. This bathroom is shared between the two guest rooms. It is yours for the week." He turns as if to leave, but then stops. "If you need a larger tub, my bathroom might be preferable."

I'm about to make a scathing remark when he holds up a hand. "I promise to give you your privacy."

Without another word, he walks out and clomps down the stairs.

I wonder how he managed to get to my door without me hearing him coming. His hooves are loud. Satyrs are known for large, ready cocks, not stealthiness. My body reacts to the idea of his shaft twitching at my words of thanks. Is he always aroused or is it me?

It makes no difference. I open my suitcase and pull out a brush and other toiletries, then walk into the shared bathroom. The tub is slightly deeper than a standard bath and the other fixtures are very nice. The tile is made to look like coppery stone and the double sinks are slightly raised from the long vanity.

Curiosity gets the better of me. Niko is the kind of man who will always keep his word. I'm safe upstairs. I stride down the hall, intent on looking at his tub. It can do no harm to look.

I step through his bedroom, which has a large king bed and two picture windows. The walls are painted a dark grayish blue, and the tray ceiling has hidden lights that cast a warm, sensual glow. Double doors open up to a bathroom with marble floors and a huge shower. The dark wooden cabinetry has marble tops and smooth copper-colored glass basins. Sitting under the window that faces my forest is a deep cream-colored tub with a rolled top, big enough for two, even if one is a very large satyr.

My body aches to sink into that and lifting my chin, I plunk my toiletries on the vanity, then start the water. In the cabinet under one sink, I find shaving supplies and other manly items. Under the other is rose-scented milk bath and a stack of fluffy white towels.

Once the bath is filled and scented, I strip out of my borrowed clothes and sink into the warm water. Staring out at the mountains and trees, I sigh with contentment. If only the satyr wasn't here, this would be perfect.

Even as I think it, it I'm not sure I mean it. He's been a perfect gentleman other than not turning away when I was naked. However, I have no shame since I've been naked all my life. People gape and stare and fall in love with me. It happens every day. Only Niko didn't gape or gush over me. He looked, then kept his attention on my face. He talked to me as if what I said was important to him.

Only creatures like Cade the manticore ever showed interest in me as a person. He wasn't lured in by my essence because he can only want his true mate. Some creatures are not affected by nymphs. Why am I disappointed that Niko didn't instantly fall in love with me? No. It's better this way. I can leave at the end of the week without any guilt.

Sinking lower, I let my head fall back, soaking my hair. I wash and relax until my stomach's grumblings overwhelm my enjoyment of the bath.

When I return to my room, I find an envelope on the nightstand. It's addressed to me and postmarked from March.

Not ready to read the letter and curious to know how Niko got up those steps without being heard, I pull on a pair of white shorts and a pink shirt that says Pretty in Pink on the front. I don't bother with the underwear as I can't imagine such items being comfortable.

I like the way the clothes feel on my skin. Somehow putting them on feels naughty and rebellious.

I step into the great room and the scents of food fill the air. Niko's back is to me and he does something at the stove. He's broad, and the way his waist narrows and the curve of his ass is far sexier than I'll ever admit. I clear my throat. "Have you always cooked for yourself?"

His smile as he turns melts me from the inside out. My body abandons my demand to not be attracted to him, and my clit pulses with need.

"I like to cook." He nods to a cookbook on the counter.

On the cover is a photo of him without horns. His name is written in shiny black lettering across the top. I blink and shake my head, expecting that to be some kind of illusion that will disappear. "You write cookbooks?"

He shrugs. "I'm a chef and cooked in my own restaurants for a long time. When my nature became known, I retreated to the mountains. I hired chefs and on-site managers, and started writing books. Eventually, people forgot about the half-goat man who cooked them risotto, and I have led a peaceful life ever since. That was a long time ago."

I wish I didn't find him so fascinating. "Thank you for getting me clothes."

Nodding, he brings me a plate with toasted baguette slices covered in bruschetta.

Too hungry to refuse, I eat two before I think about the price of his kindness. "I'm not going to marry you just because you fed me or let me use your bathtub."

"I know," he says without looking at me.

"I don't need you." I wish the fish didn't smell so good roasting in some kind of tomato-based sauce.

"Of course you don't." He turns off the oven and faces me. "You're a grown woman who can do anything she wants. You are not even required to stay here for the week."

"I promised." Why does it hurt to think he might prefer me to leave? Is he having second thoughts about the deal we made?

Rather than continue the discussion, he smiles and offers me a seat at the dining table.

H ours later, I'm filled with food and wine and curled up on his couch, looking into the darkness of the mountains.

Niko sits, sipping bourbon, and has been quiet ever since he joined me half an hour ago.

"Why did you move here, Niko?" If I am to keep my promise, I may as well get to know him. Who knows, perhaps we can become friends. A nymph can never have too many friends who aren't lured in by the magical appeal.

He puts the crystal glass on the coffee table. "I have known a few wood nymphs and water nymphs and they all loved their places in the world. Your father told me you are special and have ties to both woods and water. Still, I thought you'd prefer to stay in your forest."

"I wish Father hadn't made this arrangement." I meant for the comment to be light, but it comes out whiny.

"I know you do." Sorrow laces his tone.

Hating that I've hurt his feelings, I sit up and move beside him. Resting my hand on his arm, I say, "It's not your fault. I'm sure you're a nice man. I don't like being manipulated. This was unfair to both of us."

His kilt rises, but he keeps his gaze on mine. He covers my hand with his. "It was not fair. I still can't wish this away."

Jerking my hand back, I sit back a foot. "Because you want to have sex with me. You're a satyr and I'm a nymph. It's expected that we are sexual beings. Father likely thinks he won as I won't be able to resist you. You are both wrong." I cross my arms over my aching breasts, wishing my body would listen to my words.

Danger flashes in his dark eyes. His full mouth pulls into a tight line. Leaning toward me, his large hand flattens on the cushion. "We are what we are, Astra. You lure in men and women with the essence of the nymph. You care for your woods and rivers as if you own them. I play and compose music just like my ancestors before me. Make no mistake, I want you. My cock has been thick and ready since the moment I first saw your photograph. It is our nature, and neither of us can fight nature. The only things standing in the way of sex are that you have not agreed, and I want more from you."

It's hard to breathe. The depth of his tone and intensity in his stare has my pussy screaming to give him what he wants, whatever that might be. "More?"

"Yes. I need my wife to be a partner in all things. You don't want me, though I think you're attracted to me." Pulling back, he shifts so his kilt covers the effects of being close to me. "Either way, your father is not the one who will win or lose, Astra. This is about us, not him."

Even knowing he's right, I can't stand the idea of my father winning this battle. "My father will not see it that way." I get up and, pushing aside the hurt look on Niko's face, I head to the guest room, where I lock the door against an invasion I know will never come.