I smiled. Peter kissed the angle of my jaw, and for a moment, I thought about telling him I’d changed my mind and wanted to go to his place after all. But then the waitress returned with our drinks, pulling me out from under whatever spell Peter had cast over me.
I hadn’t known Peter very long. He’d moved to our sleepy town only a few months ago. Like everyone else, I wondered what a guy like him was doing in Beaver Falls of all places, but the one time I’d asked his answer had been vague. A little over a month ago he’d taken me by surprise when he struck up a conversation while I was waiting to order my morning cup of coffee at Java City, the newest coffeehouse in town.
“You’re Willow Duncan, aren’t you?”
I turned my head and found myself face to face with Peter. I had no idea he knew my name. I, of course, knew his. Every single woman in Beaver Falls did, because the men in our town did not look like he did. His well-groomed dark-blond hair, blue eyes, and perfectly angled jaw gave the impression of a man who actually put some effort into his appearance. Most of the men in Beaver Falls seemed to prefer the rugged mountain-man look, but scruffy beards and flannel shirts were not my thing.
“Yes, I am. How did you know?”
“I’m in need of an accountant, and one of my baristas pointed you out the other day.” He tilted his head to the side, studying me. I worried that I had something smudged on my cheek, but I didn’t dare check. “You’re a latte girl. Am I right?”
“How did you know?”
“When you own a coffee shop, you sort of pick up on those things after a while.”
He walked away, returning a few minutes later with a freshly brewed drink in his hands. I was so shocked by the sudden special treatment that for a moment I didn’t know what to say. “How much do I owe you?”
“The pleasure of your company for dinner,” he replied.
“Um … okay,” I stuttered, and looked away, bashful and surprised by the attention he was giving me. It wasn’t that I didn’t get asked out, I just usually didn’t get asked out by men I actually pictured myself with.
After that, whenever Peter and I were together, he made me feel special, beautiful, desired. He was all I wanted and would ever want. He had those qualities most women searched for: good looks, a successful career, perfect manners. But sometimes, when we were apart, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something about him wasn’t quite right. I supposed that was the reason we hadn’t yet taken our relationship to the next level.
Peter’s hand left mine and traveled back down to my bare knee, snapping me out of my thoughts. I took a sip of my cocktail, hoping the alcohol would steady my nerves.
“How about a dance?” he asked.
“Sure.”
It was hot inside the bar. I wiped the sweat from my brow and followed him to the dance floor. He rested his hands on my hips.
“There’s something I want to tell you, Willow.” He snaked one arm around my lower back and pulled me closer. “You’ve been so patient with my work schedule. I know I haven’t given you the kind of attention you need and deserve, but that’s all going to change. I want you to know that you mean a lot to me.”
He pressed his lips to mine, which was a good thing since I felt a goofy smile making its way across my face. When he broke the kiss, I said, “I feel the same way.”
“Then let’s spend a weekend together. Just the two of us. I’ve got a cabin in the Catskills. How about the weekend after next?”
That was the weekend my father and I were going to have dinner at the castle. I was hoping not to have to mention it to Peter. “I … already have plans.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “What kind of plans?”
“I got one of those invitations.” He’d know what I was talking about. Everyone in Beaver Falls did.
“To the castle?” I nodded, and he continued. “How come you didn’t tell me earlier?”
“Because I’m going with my dad.”
“Your father?” He frowned. “Why not me?”
“Because my dad has wanted to visit that castle for as long as I can remember. It just wouldn’t feel right not bringing him.”
Peter shook his head. “I don’t want you to go. At least not without me. I don’t trust those brothers.”
“What do you think they’re going to do to me?” I said, trying to hide my impatience. Growing up, I’d had to put up with three overprotective big brothers. I wasn’t interested in going through that again.
“I don’t know. But something is not right about that family. They barely leave that home of theirs, and they’re not friendly with anyone in town. Then all of a sudden, they start inviting people to that creepy castle. Something doesn’t add up.”
“If they were up to no good, wouldn’t we know it by now?”
Peter threw his head back, laughing. “You are far more innocent than I ever imagined you’d be.”
I pulled away from him, annoyed by the condescending tone in his voice. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He hesitated before replying. “Nothing at all.”
I didn’t believe him, but I let it drop. “I’m going. I’m sorry if you don’t like it.”
“It’s not that I don’t like it,” he said after a minute, his voice softer this time. “But I’ll worry. There are three men living in that castle, and you’re a beautiful woman. I don’t want anyone stealing you away from me.”
I smiled, flattered by the compliment. He was so good at saying the right things. “No one’s going to steal me away.”
“Isn’t that every woman’s dream? To meet a prince and live happily ever after in his castle?”
“I don’t believe the Korzhas
