Meadow's Keep (The Gatekeepers Series) (26 page)

Eryk saw her smile, really smile, for the first time since they’d
arrived.

“We’re good,” she said.
However, he wasn’t smiling. He seemed deep in thought. “Shall we go back to Safe Harbor?” she asked. “We have a show tomorrow.” She started toward the car.

“Wait.” He took her arm. “I want to go back
inside. I didn’t look around.”

“
Yes, we did.”

“No. I mean
look
.”

Jasmine’s face paled.
She stood a little straighter. “Okay—”

“Alone.” He cut her off. “You wait for me in the car.
I’ll lock up when I come back.”

She swallowed. “No. I want to go back inside. I need to see if it’s us or the place.
"

“You sure? You don’t have to.”

Her nerves steadied. His nearness was less painful. That was the closest she’d come to feeling out of control. Downstairs, for an instant, she’d felt as though she were on fire and he was the only thing that could put out the flames. For a few moments, she hadn’t been sure she wasn’t going to attack him. Given what she’d been through, she was surprised at herself, and more than a bit frightened.

She moved around him and opened the door,
pushed down her fear and stepped inside. Nothing. Eryk moved in behind her. She felt the heat of his body close to hers but not the firing of her nerves. “Do you think it’s that cave downstairs?”

Eryk’s movements were sure. He stepped up to her and put his hands on her arms. She felt a slight tingle, as she always
did when he touched her. His nearness always made her want to move closer. She closed her eyes and focused. No, it wasn’t more than usual.

“You
all right?”

She opened her eyes and looked
over her shoulder into his emerald green ones. There was no glow. She visibly exhaled. “I’m good. And your eyes are fine.”

“I want you to go wait in the car. I’m going downstairs. I want to see if it’s the room or if it’s
only when it’s us together in the room. Plus, I want to look around. I’ll do better if I’m not worrying about protecting you.” He moved away from her.

Protect her from what?
Panic seized her and she clutched at his arm. “Don’t. I don’t like it.”

His voice was firm. “Jasmine, go get in the car. I’ll be right back.”

She turned and walked outside, pushed the car door wide open, and sat sideways in the vehicle, her feet firmly planted on the ground, her cell phone in her hand. Jasmine trained her eyes through the open door toward the back of the hall.

Minutes ticked past.
What the hell was she thinking, letting him go back down there? What if something happened? She had her finger on her quick-dial when she saw him come out of the kitchen. He waved at her and proceeded to close doors and turn out lights as he moved down the corridor. Flipping off the hall lights, he pulled the door shut behind him and stepped over to her, looking in her eyes. His eyes always glowed slightly in the dark. She studied him. They weren’t glowing any more than they normally did and she let out a sigh and smiled.

“
It doesn’t mean I don’t want to kiss you.”

On impulse, she jumped up and kissed him lightly on the lips before darting back into the car. She turned an impish smile to him.
“There. You’ve been kissed.”

Eryk let out a low laugh, closed her door
, and walked around the SUV. He climbed in beside her. As he pulled away, he glanced back at the castle. In the fading light, it really did look like something found on the moors of Scotland. There was a sense of relief when he saw the gates close behind them. He hoped they wouldn’t be back.

“I’m starving. How about we head
down the beach for some dinner?”

“Dinner sounds good.” She turned in her seat. “Did you see anything?”

“Nothing. No more than at the cottage.” He waited a beat. “Plus, I didn’t feel the way I did when we were together down there.”

She nodded. There
had been something there that pulled them together. She made a mental note to bring that up to Bask.

Jasmine saw him glance toward the ocean.
“Where is your parents’ house?” she asked.

Eryk drove down Atlantic Avenue a few blocks
and turned left. He stopped on the road closest to the ocean and looked out his window. Jasmine leaned forward. The huge building looked as if it had been picked up from some urban complex and plunked down between older beach homes. Its coldness was a stark contrast with the shabby chic welcome of the houses on either side.

“It doesn’t look like anyone’s
at home,” she said.

“I’m sure he left
this morning. Probably to get as far away from me as possible.” The statement was said softly but she could hear the bitterness.

“I’m sorry,” she said and let her hand rest on his arm.
This time, the current eased between them, like silk sliding over skin. At a loss to figure it out, Jasmine stared at her hand on his arm. One minute the energy slammed into her; then in another instant, it was like a caress.

Not moving her hand, she spoke, “You c
onfronted him last night, didn’t you.”

Eryk reached for the gears
, letting her hand fall away. “Yes.” He didn’t say anymore until they were on Atlantic Avenue. “Ever been to the Raven Restaurant?”

“No.”

“I haven’t been in a long time. Let’s give it a shot.”

Atlantic Avenue
’s traffic was sparse, probably the time of year and the weather. By the time they’d driven the length of it, parked, and entered the restaurant, Jasmine was cold, damp, and starving. Seated in the atrium, Eryk suggested they sit on one side of the table with their backs to the live cam.

Jasmine swung around and waved for the camera.
She nudged Eryk. “Come on, smile for the camera. It’s good publicity.” Eryk turned and flashed his million-dollar smile before turning back. They both ordered steaks and Ravenfries.

Jasmine toyed with her napkin. Sitting so close to him was making her aware of his every muscle.
The hair on her arm rose.

Eryk stood.
“Come on,” he said, eyed the camera, and headed down the room and to the side. He held out a chair for her. “We ought to be okay here,” he laughed.

“Thanks.” She waited until he
took the seat across from her. “You don’t know what it’s like. The tingling. I don’t know what you feel, but it’s—”

Eryk
slight shake of his head silenced her. He raised his hand and caught the waitress’ attention.

The waitress walked over carrying their plates. “Whew! I thought you’d left.”

“No,” he flashed that megawatt smile at her and Jasmine watched the woman’s demeanor shift.

“
I just wanted a different seat. I hope that’s okay?” he asked.

“Oh, sure.
”

Jasmine quickly lifted her hands as t
he plate came down with a thud in front of her, the waitress never shifting her gaze from Eryk. With a much more precise movement, she lowered his plate, moving her hand away slowly, over his hand resting on the table, almost like a caress. Because Jasmine knew he could see her, even though he was looking at the woman, she crossed her eyes. His smile widened.

“If you need anything else?”

“I’m fine, thanks.” He looked at Jasmine.

“Some Ketch
—” Jasmine started to say and found it placed in front of her before she could finish. “Thanks,” she said.

“Sure. Enjoy your meal.” One last look at Eryk and
the waitress headed over to check on another table.

“You are unreal,” Jasmine shook her head, dipped
a fry into some Ketchup, and took a bite.

“What?”
He was laughing as he cut into the rare meat. He chewed for a moment. “This is really good.”

His hair, tousled into unruly
black waves by the damp, framed his chiseled features. The sharpness of his jaw was outlined by the shadowy beginnings of a beard. His green eyes glimmered with mischief. He looked like a complete rake—and totally irresistible. Jasmine put her attention on her steak for a moment.

“When
she brushed your hand…” she hesitated.

“She d
idn’t feel anything,” he finished for her. “Well, except my incredible charm.”

Jasmine’s slow smile
went straight to his gut. He could feel his blood warm and stir. Her short black hair, now damp, wisped around her face. Her eyes held depths of promises that he ached to explore.

“You don’t feel it, either, do you?” she asked quietly.

He stopped, sat back and looked at her. “Honestly. I feel it on so many levels that sometimes I can barely breathe. All you have to do is be near me and my heart tumbles.”

As they looked into one another’s eyes, the air around th
em stirred. Their energies reached out, one to the other.

His voice was rough, low and edgy when he spoke.
“I won’t rush you. But, I don’t want you to think I’m not affected. I fight it every moment. I just don’t want to frighten you.”

“I’m not frightened—of you.
” She pushed fries around with her fork. Not looking up at him, she finished. “It’s this connection. The need. I don’t know if it’s you or the Ruthorford thing.”

“Does it matter?” H
e waited for her answer.

Jasmine put the fork down and sat back, gathering her thoughts. “You know, when I became a teenager and the “thing”—she made air quotes
—didn’t happen between Dorian and me—and, believe me, I expected it to—we expected it to—I felt like a total failure.”

She held up a hand when he started to speak. “Let me finish.
It was so ingrained. It was like the whole town was waiting. We even tried to force the issue.” She laughed at his not so subtle brow lift. Did she see jealousy flicker across his expressive green eyes for just a second?

“I would have been nice if
Melissa and Thom—that’s Morgan’s biological parents and the people who raised Dorian—had told us the truth. I figure they knew. I mean with Morgan and all.” She shrugged. “We’ll never know now.”

She took a sip of her soda and sadness filled her eyes. “I still miss them.
Maybe they didn’t know. I am, after all an anomaly. Given how I look, Dorian and I should have produced an offspring like Morgan.”

He
studied her for a moment before he spoke. “You make it sound so…so matter-of-fact.”

“I grew up with it. Everything in its place, so to speak.
I wanted desperately to be a part of that legacy. Or, I thought I did.”

“You don’t now?”
he asked. She saw he was trying to keep emotion out of his voice.

“I don’t know. Now that it’s happening. I mean right there in front of me, with me…and you…I don’t know how I feel. I know I feel bad for you.”

“For me? Why do you feel bad for me?”

“Because you don’t really understand. You have th
is incredible desire for me. And, if we let nature take its course, that’s it. Now and forever. You and me.” She snapped her fingers. “Kinda takes the romance out of it.”

He reached across the table and took her hand. She felt his energy seeking hers. Eryk looked down at their hands and the energy softened
. He lifted her hand.

“One. I was in on the conversation. Although I found it hard to believe at first, I’ve had some time to process it. Two. What makes you think I just want to have sex with you and be on my way?
I’m not like that. I’ve never been like that. Oh, I’m no virgin. But, I’m no Casanova, either. I can shock the hell out of people. My eyes frighten them. So, no. I’m not…. And, three.” He brought her hand to his mouth and nipped at her fingers. “I have never…and I mean never…wanted any woman as completely as I want you. Sure, I crave you. But, I can deal with that. I adore being around you. I love seeing you first thing in the morning, sleep in your black eyes, your hair all tousled, and the way you flow across a room. I love the way you come back at me when you don’t agree. And the way you turn to me when you need me.”

He watched her swallow. He felt the current zigzag down her arm, spiky, unsure.
“What I’m saying is I’m on the path I want to be on. We can fight it, slow it down, and let our hearts and minds catch up. Or we won’t.” Then he smiled at her. “I’m happy either way.”

A soft cough sounded from across the
aisle. They broke apart. Obviously mistaking what she heard, the waitress was all grins. “Honey, if you don’t want him, I’ll take him.”

Jasmine’s face
reddened. Eryk laughed. “See. You better hurry. The line’s getting longer.”

The waitress reached over and put her hand on Jasmine’s shoulder, leaning in. “Seriously. You take your time. Marriage isn’t something you rush into. Trust me. I’m on number three.” She patted Jasmine’s shoulder and set the
check nearest Eryk. “No rush. I’ll take that whenever you guys are ready.”