by Anna Hackett
She followed him down the hall and then took the steps of the grand staircase two at a time. By the time she followed him down another hall and through a doorway, she was out of breath.
She halted suddenly. The room was filled with…treasure.
Bundles of cash lay stacked on the desk, surrounding a sleek desktop computer. Behind the large mahogany desk, the bookcase was draped in jewelry and artwork. Paintings were stacked against the wall.
God, was that a Monet? The place was like some sort of dragon’s lair.
Soren rematerialized and sat in the large, black leather chair behind the desk. He appeared oblivious to the stunning view of the lake through the large French doors. He was focused on the computer.
“You can’t stay locked in here.” Skye recognized the irony of her giving that advice. For several years, she’d only left her home if she’d been forced to. “Apeliotus will come for you.”
“I don’t know who that is.” Soren turned and grabbed something from the bookcase. “Here. Wear this.”
He was holding a large gold necklace set with a ruby the size of a baby’s fist.
Her stomach did a slow roll. Her stepfather had left her trinkets. “I don’t really wear jewelry. And that doesn’t suit me.”
Soren’s eyes became unfocused. He stared at the necklace. “Maybe you’re right.” He set the necklace on the desk.
She moved closer. “Soren, you need to let your brothers in.”
He frowned. “Brothers?”
“Yes, Luca, Dante, Antonio, Lorenzo—”
“Stop!” Soren leaped to his feet. “Stop.” He rubbed his temple. “No more.”
She held up her hands. Okay, she’d obviously pushed too far. “I’m sorry.”
“I have no brothers, no family. I only have what I take and collect. That makes me strong.” He scooped up a handful of coins and jewelry.
“Greed doesn’t make you strong,” she said quietly.
He made a sound close to a growl. “Watch your step, Skye. I’ve let you stay but I can send you away if I want.”
There was so much at stake and she was failing.
She released a breath and studied his handsome face. Aurae legends said that the more contact an Aurae had with a Warrior, the more she could calm his vice. More contact, of course, meant sex. She sucked in a breath this time. How was she supposed to lure this man into bed? Her chest tightened at the thought. Should she just throw herself at him? She almost rolled her eyes at the idea. She was no femme fatale and a man like Soren Venti wouldn’t look twice at her in the outside world.
His wide shoulders were so tense and his handsome face was set in stark lines. He was suffering, even if he didn’t acknowledge it. He just needed to relax a little.
Think, Skye. “Um, are you hungry?”
He frowned. “Hungry?”
“Yes. You know, for food.” She waved a hand. “I’m not bad in the kitchen.”
“I’m not hungry.”
But from his face, she could tell he’d lost weight since all this had started. “Well, I’m going to check out your kitchen.”
She spun, heading back through the house. She sensed him following her and smiled. When she stepped into Soren’s kitchen, she stopped and sucked in a breath.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, scanning the room.
“I’m having a huge wave of kitchen envy.” It was the most gorgeous kitchen she’d ever seen. The marble countertops gleamed and the appliances were all top of the line. There were four ovens—four—and a huge restaurant-grade fridge was nestled among wooden cabinets.
Skye walked over, trailing her fingers over the huge central island.
“What are you going to cook?” Soren sat on a stool at the island, watching her.
She straightened her shoulders. She had his attention and she wasn’t going to fail. If there was one thing she was good at, it was cooking.
Grabbing an apron off a hook, she tied it around her waist. “I’m going to keep it simple and make you the best fettuccine carbonara you’ve ever had.”
He raised a brow and watched as she started opening cupboards and drawers. She pulled out pots, pans, and ingredients. She found cheese, eggs, and pancetta in the fridge, and oohed over the fresh herbs growing on the window sill.
Skye found a set of knives she’d sell her soul to own and started chopping. Soon she had pots bubbling and pancetta frying in the pan.
“You look…happy,” Soren said.
She blinked. She’d almost forgotten he was there. “I love cooking. There is something so simple and rewarding about combining such simple things—” she stirred the sauce “—and making something delicious.”
“Do you work in a restaurant?”
She shook her head. “No, but I have my own home business. I package different mixes of herbs and spices. I also make some sauces in jars. I sell them online.”
“So, you’re a businesswoman.”
She stirred the pan. “I’m not a billionaire wheeler and dealer like you, but I do okay.”
A frown crossed his handsome face. “I don’t remember what I did.”
“You manage the finances for Venti Enterprises. The very successful business you own with your brothers.”
The frown deepened. “Is the food ready?”
She nodded and grabbed two plates. As she served up the pasta, she hummed to herself. When she looked up, Soren’s gray gaze was on her.
“I like that song.” A faint smile curved his lips.
“Something I heard on the radio.” She tried not to blush. “Here you go.” She pushed the plate and cutlery toward him, then she circled the island and sat beside him.
Hunger suddenly hit her, and she dived in, scooping up a forkful of pasta. The flavor hit her, and she stifled a moan. Yum.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Soren try the pasta. He paused, chewing slowly. Then he took another forkful, and another. As he worked through the entire plate, she smiled to herself.
“This is very good,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“I’d like more.”
She served him another helping. She saw some of the lines bracketing his mouth ease, and she felt a savage sense of satisfaction.
Suddenly he stiffened. The muscles in his arms tensed and he gritted his teeth.
“Soren?”
“The whispers. They’d dimmed, but they’re coming back.” He slammed his palms down on the countertop.
Skye jumped. God, that tortured look on his face. “What do they want?”
“They want me to give in. They urge me to take.” He lifted his head, a dark fire burning in his eyes. “And I want.”
She swallowed. “What do you want?’
“Everything.” Abruptly, he shot to his feet and strode out of the kitchen. Skye hurried to follow, and in the living area, she watched him fling open the French doors. He stepped out onto a wide stone terrace.
A crack of thunder echoed overhead and rain started to pelt down. A vicious wind whipped across the surface of the lake, making it churn.
Skye swallowed again. Apeliotus was close by. She felt the prickle of his power on her skin.
Soren strode out into the storm. He raised his arms to the boiling gray clouds, like he was searching for some sort of answer.
He looked like a wind god now.
And he was so close to losing this fight.
Gathering her courage, Skye strode out onto the terrace. The rain pelted her and she was soaked in an instant, her clothes plastered against her skin. “Soren!”
The wind whipped her cry away. She continued on, pushing against the gale. She glanced up and saw the swirling clouds above them.
Someone else was stirring them.
She ran now. “Soren!”
She stopped near him. His big body was shaking and his eyes were closed.
“I want it all!” His voice was a harsh cry. “I need more.”
She reached out a hand. “Everything won’t make
you happy.” Her mother had offered her things like clothes and toys to make amends. None of it had made Skye feel better.
Soren swung to face her. “What will?”
Her gaze collided with his. “I don’t know. All I know is that often it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.” She wasn’t sure where she found the courage, but she dredged up all she had and slipped her hand into his.
He stared at her face, then at their joined hands. His fingers clenched on hers.
As she watched, she saw some of the tension leave his body.
“Maybe you’re right, little rabbit.” He reeled her in, pulling her close.
He was big. Male. Vibrating with energy.
Everything that normally terrified her.
But the hand on hers was still clenched hard around her fingers. A silent plea for help.
“Let’s get out of the rain,” she said.
With a nod, he let her pull him inside.
Soren moved into the main living area. He felt the greed choking him, filling his chest, running through his veins. As he strode to the fireplace, his vision was clouded with a haze of red.
Then he realized he was squeezing Skye’s hand hard enough to hurt her. Dio. He loosened his grip, but he didn’t let her go. For some reason, he couldn’t.
He heard her humming and he froze. Slowly he turned his head to look down at her. Her wet hair was plastered against her head, now shades darker than its usual color. Her eyes were closed and her humming increased in volume.
The melody was somehow familiar, haunting. It sank into him.
The humming turned to singing. She had a beautiful voice. So strong and confident, and clear as a mountain stream.
Slowly, his muscles relaxed and he felt the tension inside him drain away. The roaring need to own and possess dulled to a distant throb. A murmur, no longer a rampant shout.
Skye’s song ended.
“Your voice is beautiful.”
Her eyes flicked up. “Thank you. It’s the only thing I’m good at.”
“I’m sure that isn’t true. You cook well.” His gaze drifted over her. He couldn’t help but notice how her wet clothes clung to very feminine curves.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
His fingers moved from her hand, along her wrist, and up to cup her elbow. She stilled, like a deer staring at bright lights.
He lifted his other hand and gently brushed the shell of her ear. “Are you afraid of me?”
“No. Yes.” She huffed out a little breath. “Not of you exactly.” Her blue eyes were turbulent. “I have demons too.”
Soren traced along her cheekbone. He wanted to touch more of her, but he kept his caress gentle. For now, just this light contact was enough. He ran a finger down the sweet slope of her nose. “Does that scare you?”
She shook her head.
He moved his finger along her jaw and pointed chin. “What about this?”
“No.” A soft whisper.
He let his hand circle her nape and massaged. “Your skin is so soft here.”
She trembled under his touch and he knew it wasn’t from fear. Then he noted the heavy weight of her wet hair and registered that some of her shivers weren’t because of him.
Idiot. “You’re wet and cold. Come, I’ll get you some dry clothes.”
He grabbed her hand again and tugged her into the hall. Moments later, he led her into a guest bedroom.
She gasped. “This room is beautiful, Soren. So grand.”
He glanced at the intricate four poster bed and the elegant furniture. He’d never really paid much attention to it before. He tried to see it through her eyes. “Si, it is.”
He stalked into the adjoining bathroom and grabbed two thick towels. After handing one to her, he rubbed the other over his wet hair and headed for the closet. He opened the carved wooden doors and studied the well-stocked offerings.
“You have so many items of women’s clothing.” She eyed the closet. “Do you have many female…visitors?”
He frowned. “I have no idea.” And he didn’t care. All he wanted was to see her in something other than baggy beige.
Soren pulled out a dress. It was simple but elegant, and would slick over her gentle curves. The sea blue would match her eyes. “Here.”
Skye took the dress. “Thank you.”
They stood there staring at each other for a moment. He motioned to the dress. “Get changed.”
Her eyes widened. “I’m not changing with you standing there!”
He frowned. “Why not?”
“Soren! That’s not…” she straightened her shoulders. “Because I said so.”
He smiled. “Ah, the little rabbit has teeth.”
“Stop calling me that.”
He gestured to the corner behind her. “You can change over there.”
She glanced over her shoulder and spied a folding screen. It partitioned off one corner of the room and was covered in a lovely design of a lake and a villa. She moved behind the panel and started to pull off her wet clothes. Soren leaned back against the wall, a smile playing on his lips. He wondered if he should tell her the screen was translucent. He couldn’t see any details but her lovely figure left a wonderful, tempting silhouette.
His body tightened, and for the first time he felt a rush of something that wasn’t pure greed.
His smile flickered. At least he hoped the desire burning inside was clean and pure, not just another need twisted by greed.
All Soren knew was that he wanted Skye.
Chapter Three
Skye fingered the beautiful fabric of the dress as she walked into the sumptuous living area. The garment was so silky. And far tighter than her usual clothes.
The color was gorgeous. A bright blue that had a slight shimmer. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the large mirror on the wall. With her damp hair pulled back, her face was on full display, as were all her curves. She looked…pretty.
The scrape of metal on stone made her look away. Soren had changed and was stoking the fire he’d lit in the large marble fireplace. He stood, but his shoulders stayed stooped. He started to pace, his fingertips massaging his temples.
Power emanated off him, but she felt the suffering entwined with it. Greed was wrapping its grasping hands around him again.
She knew that back in the bedroom she’d had the perfect opportunity to seduce him. Her belly fluttered at the memory. He’d wanted to watch her change…but she just hadn’t been able to do it. Hadn’t wanted to trick him.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
A quick shake of his head. “No.” The hand by his side clenched, released, clenched.
“I can sing for you again.”
He paused, his head slowly rising. “Yes. I want you to sing.”
Skye sank into a large armchair and curled her feet up under her. She sang an old Aurae song in Italian. A song about the Warriors of the Wind and the seasonal breezes that soothed and lightened their burden.
She kept her gaze on Soren. One of his hands gripped the back of the couch, but as she sang, he relaxed his hold and his eyes closed. Soon, he moved closer and sat on the armchair beside hers.
When the song was over, gentle silence fell over the room, punctuated only by the occasional pop and crackle of the flames from the fireplace.
His gray gaze was locked on her. “That song…”
“It’s about the Warriors of the Wind.”
A line scored his brow. “I’m a Warrior.”
“Yes. You obviously know you control the wind, the East Wind. You’re one of five brothers born to a long line who have protected the world from the evil Tempest Winds.”
His frown deepened. “When you were singing, the greed backed away. I could almost remember who I was.” His shoulders slumped. “Now it’s gone.”
“It’ll come back. We’ll keep trying.”
“Maybe I don’t want my memory back.” He shot to his feet. “What if I discover I’m always greedy, alwa
ys wanting more and more?” He strode to the windows. “I want to believe I’m not always like this.”
Skye smiled sadly. “Sometimes we just have to accept ourselves, flaws and all. I’m always scared, and timid, and too shy to tell anyone what I want.”
He spun around. “Someone hurt you.”
She looked away. “I don’t want to talk about that.”
“Okay.”
She looked back, thankful he wasn’t going to push. Memory or no memory, she had a suspicion that Soren Venti liked getting his own way.
“Would you like to play a game?” he asked, waving a hand.
She spied the gorgeous silver chess set on a small side table. “Chess? Cards?”
“How about poker?”
“I’m not very good, but sure.”
He moved closer, a glint in his eyes. “Strip poker.”
Her mouth dropped open. “What?”
“I enjoyed watching you take your clothes off. It’s mesmerizing.”
“You didn’t watch me—” she narrowed her eyes “—I was behind the screen.”
A tiny smile played on his lips. “Si, you were.”
She sat up straighter. “I am not playing strip poker.”
“We can skip the game and go straight to the part where you kiss me.”
Her heart gave a huge leap in her chest. “You’re crazy.”
“That’s likely.” He moved even closer, until he was kneeling in front of her chair, crowding her in. “Something about you calls to me, Skye, and I seem helpless to resist.”
He was so big and heat emanated off him in waves. That lean face was more compelling than anything she’d ever seen. He gripped the armrests, caging her in.
“Have you ever kissed a man, Skye?”
Dark memories closed in, choking her. “I…I—”
“No.” Soren’s hands cupped her cheeks and forced her gaze to meet his. “I mean have you ever made the decision? If something was stolen from you, that isn’t your fault. Have you ever chosen to put your lips on another’s because all you can think of is tasting them? Because it’s all you think about?”
“No.” A whisper. Her gaze dropped to his lips. Perfectly shaped and ridiculously full for a man.
“Do you want to make that choice?”