As Jared thought more about Chloe and her ability to spark his magic, he knew he needed answers, to get to know her better and discover if there were other ways to prolong his powers, because he suspected that once she put an ocean between them, his magic would begin to fade. If he had any chance of surviving he needed to know exactly who she was and where she’d come from.
But how could he come right out and question her, without arousing the inquisitive scientist in her, and how could he be expected to control his fierce need when he was around her—his life mate.
He somehow had to find a way, because there was more at stake here than just his existence.
5
Despite her confused yet sated state of mind, sleep came easily, and Chloe awoke feeling more refreshed than she had in years, bright eyed and ready to face the new day. Her logical brain had given up on trying to find an explanation for last night’s strange events including the erotic assault on her mind and body. Perhaps it really was a touch of sunstroke, or perhaps it was just wishful thinking.
Either way, she needed to get on with the day and get Jared out of her mind. And the best course of action was by avoiding any contact with him and indulging in the resort’s activities. She was certain she’d seen a sign-up sheet for jet-skiing in the lobby.
She took a quick shower, threw on a pair of shorts and T-shirt, grabbed her beach bag and made her way to the restaurant for a coffee and muffin.
After eating, she passed through the lobby, signed up for a few activities and stepped out into the bright early sunshine to enjoy the morning before the entertainment got underway.
Shading the sun from her eyes, she glanced at the sleeping mountain to her right—all was still. No movement. Nothing. She then scanned the cluster of trees and thick foliage near the private cove on her left. With very few guests, who’d yet to venture out on the beautiful morning, she practically had the island to herself.
Basking in the quiet, she decided to walk along the shoreline and explore the thick forest to study the indigenous Ryuu fauna. She traipsed to the water barefoot, savoring the warm rays on her face and the feel of the pristine white sand beneath her feet. God, she would miss this when she returned home.
Home…
Honestly, she didn’t even know what that was anymore.
As her heavy sigh sounded in the still morning air she gave herself a reality check. The truth was: A, she had no job to go back to. B, she had no family to fall back on. And C, she had no man waiting for her with open arms. Sure she had girlfriends, but she’d been so dedicated to her career, proving to her boss that she was more than capable of succeeding in field research, that those relationships had fallen by the wayside.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t hear the approaching footsteps until an intruder was upon her.
“You’re up early.” His warm breath washed over the back of her neck and brought on a shudder.
Oh hell, just hearing his deep, raspy tone did delicious things to her insides. She spun around and came face to face with the most gorgeous man she’d ever had the pleasure of sleeping with. Looking like
sex incarnate, he was dressed in a knee length bathing suit with droplets of ocean water glistening on his sun-kissed skin.
“I could say the same about you,” she responded, trying to keep her voice in check as his mere nearness made her breathless.
Jared slicked his wet bangs back and narrowed his eyes in genuine concern as his glance surfed over her body. “I’m an early riser. What about you? Couldn’t sleep?” The instant he stepped closer, a rush of warm familiarity rolled through her and had her insides aching for him.
Her gaze raced over his body and she found herself leaning into him, seeking his warmth, his touch, his comfort. When she realized he was waiting for an answer, she forced herself to tear her focus from his beautiful, sculpted chest, and meet his green eyes.
“Actually I slept well.” Her body quaked in remembrance of the powerful orgasm that had ripped through her before she’d drifted off. God, it really had felt like Jared had been with her, touching her, making love to her. “Jared. About last night…”
He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her along the sand toward the forest. “What about last night?”
Jeez, what was she supposed to say? Did you somehow magically tap into my mind and make love to me? As if such magic existed. Okay, she needed to get a grip here. Otherwise she’d soon find herself believing in dragons too.
“I enjoyed it,” she said.
His grin turned wicked. “Same here.”
The warm sincerity in his eyes brought out the honesty in her. She nibbled her bottom lip and felt her body flush. “I had no idea that having sex with the possibility of getting caught could be so exciting.”
He arched a brow, making him look a little sexy and a whole lot devilish. “No?”
She grinned at him. “You did though. Didn’t you? I guess as a bartender you have a way of reading people.”
Cripes, what was she doing? Fishing? Trying to figure out if he slept with a barrage of vacationers? Did she even want to know? Yes, she did. She really did. She wanted to know everything about him, his likes and his dislikes and every little nuance that made him tick. So much for her plans to avoid him and get him out of her system.
He cast her a sidelong glance and watched her for a moment before saying, “You looked a little bottled up, Chloe. And I wanted to help.”
She crinkled her
