Shadows of Knight: Book 1 of Dark Shadows - a Romantic Suspense Trilogy

by M E Whiter

  The tour ends up on the fly deck, where Sebastian is behind the controls, idling the yacht away from the dock, while Matt secures the docking ropes. Fiona shows me where I can sit, and then excuses herself to head back downstairs, to get lunch ready. Matt comes up a few minutes later and takes over the helm from Sebastian, as we head out of the marina, into the open waters of Okanagan Lake.

  We cruise south, sailing under the bridge that links the western side of Kelowna to the east side. Shortly after, we begin passing by rows of attractive-looking houses, similar in style to Sebastian’s house, and each with their own private jetty. Sebastian has his arm around my shoulders, as we sit together, on a large comfy curved settee, watching the view.

  I sit quietly, observing Matt while he's talking to us. I notice he has to keep pulling his captain's cap forward, whenever he tosses his head back and laughs, over something Sebastian says. He and Sebastian seem to have a natural camaraderie, from what I can tell, listening to their highly entertaining conversation. I can't keep the grin from my face, as they regale me, with their wild sailing stories from a time, when Matt and he were bachelors together.

  “Remember that autumn, we tried to secure your old yacht, before the storm hit, but we got caught in the tide, and the boat very nearly smashed up against the dock? And then you tried to jump ashore, to secure the stern line, remember?” Sebastian asks Matt.

  “Yeah, I thought I was going to drown, when I swung my leg over the rail and almost fell into the water. Instead, I ended up hanging by the rope, upside down, over the side. It was so fucking cold, I though I was gonna get hyperthermia for sure. And all you did, was stand there and laugh at me.”

  “Hey, I grabbed the rope and hauled your sorry arse out, didn’t I? You should be thanking me for saving your life,” Sebastian says, feigning mocked indignation.

  “Yeah, right. You took your time about it too, if I recall correctly,” Matt scoffs. He and Sebastian sit back, laughing at the memory. The mood is infectious, my jaws aching painfully, as I find myself laughing right along with them.

  When Fiona calls out to let us know lunch is ready, Matt steers the yacht into a shallow bay and cuts the engine. He then drops the anchor, to keep us from drifting. We head down to the club dinette, where Fiona has laid out a delicious looking fare of lemon grilled salmon steaks, sliced roast chicken, salads, condiments and baguette slices. Sebastian sits next to me, while we eat out lunch, with a glass or two of wine. Fiona tells me how she and Matt first met, and some of the places they've travelled over the years.

  We then spend the rest of the time, back up on deck, as we continue to sail west. The men enjoy their own private conversation, while Fiona and I sit together talking, as we watch the passing scenery.

  Throughout the afternoon, I take several photos of the amazing wildlife around the lake, including a couple of osprey, sitting on a jetty, near a small inlet. The best part though, is spotting a bald eagle, and watching it's wings spread wide, as it circles on a thermal of warm air, high above where we are sailing.

  I even manage to get in a couple of candid shots of Sebastian, while he’s distracted, listening to Matt talk. At least now, I can take a memento of him, with me, when I go home. I can’t wait to show my girlfriends. They are going to flip, when they realise I haven’t been exaggerating, about how really hot and sexy he looks.

  ON THE WAY back to the marina, I thank Matt and Fiona for an absolutely fabulous time. Matt then makes Sebastian promise to bring me sailing again, before I go back home, to Australia. I feel sad when we dock at the marina, and have to say our goodbyes to Matt and Fiona.

  It’s late afternoon, with the sun casting long shadows across the park, next to the jetty. Sebastian holds my hand, while we walk back towards the carpark.

  “Rachel, would you like an ice-cream before we leave?”

  “Yes, please. Can I have a soft-serve?”

  “You can have anything you like, sweetheart,” he replies, giving me a cheeky wink. Wow! I love the way his dimples stand out, when he smiles. I also notice, that a bit of sun really does wonders for his perfectly tanned complexion. I only dread to think how my skin looks, after being out in the sunshine and wind, all afternoon. The weather has never been a friend to my fair complexion, so my face probably looks as pink and baked as the salmon we ate, for lunch.

  Crossing the road, we stroll down the street to a nearby ice-cream parlour. Going inside, I lean against Sebastian, while he orders a vanilla soft-serve for me, and a single cone of rum and raisin, for himself. After collecting our ice-creams, we head back across the road, towards the park near the marina.

  “Come on, we can sit in the park, while we eat our ice-creams."

  We sit on a bench, that overlooks the water, so we can watch the ducks playing around in the shallows, while we eat our ice-creams. I have to admit, I love soft-serve ice-cream, it offers a heavenly and very rewarding experience.

  I enjoy, running my tongue up and down each side, enjoying the creamy texture, as I pull it inside my mouth, and then tasting the cool sweetness, as it slides smoothly down my throat. The sensation is divine. Nothing can beat it, in my opinion. When I can’t get my tongue any further into the cone, I wrap my lip around the rim, and suck the rest into my mouth.

  “Shit Rachel. You are killing me here, watching you eat that ice-cream,” he says, his voice low and husky. I gaze up at him through my thick eyelashes, giving him an ice-cream coated grin.

  He leans across, his face coming close as he sucks the traces of ice-cream off the bottom of my chin and then my lips. His cold breath tickles my skin, as he presses his lips near my ear.

  “I really wish it was me you were licking right now, instead of that ice-cream.”

  The image of me, jumping on his lap, while he's sitting here on this bench, and having my wicked way with him, enters my mind. I quickly dismiss the idea, as I nibble on what's left of my ice cream cone.

  “Well it looks like you really enjoyed that, are you ready to go?”

  “Yes, I think so,” I reply, wiping my face clean with a tissue, as I stand up.

  Ten minutes later, we arrive back at the house, now looking like a shadow against the glow of the early evening light. Sebastian turns on the lights as we make our way inside. When I reach the stairs, I call out to Sebastian, to catch his attention, before he disappears into the kitchen.

  "I'm going to go up and change."

  “Before you go, I want to let you know, that I am cooking you dinner tonight. It will be a couple of hours before it’s ready. So, why don't you have a long relaxing bath."

  “Yes. I might just do that. Are you sure you don’t want me to help?”

  “Not tonight. I want to make this evening something special, so I don't want you downstairs until eight. I thought it would be nice, if we have dinner in the living room, in front of the fire. If that is alright with you?”

  “Yes, perfect. But aren't you doing this the wrong way around?" I ask him, raising my eyebrows just a little.

  “I don't understand your meaning?” Sebastian questions, with a frown creasing his forehead.

  “Well I thought, the woman was supposed to cook the dinner, to win the man over, not the other way around,” I reply, giving a small chuckle. Sebastian tosses his head back, make a huffing sound, not fully appreciating my little attempt at humour. Without saying another word, I turn and walk upstairs to my room.

  Tossing my bag down on the dresser, I head into the bathroom to run my bath. While I wait for the tub to fill, I eye through the row of bath products, on the shelf above the vanity. I pick up a bottle of bubble bath, containing bergamot, lemon and mandarin. Unscrewing the cap, I pour some into the bath, and immediately an explosion of thick bubbles begins to fill the bathtub. The divine scent, mingling with the steam, fills the room, making it feel like I’m in the Mediterranean.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  SUNDAY, 24th August

  Rachel

  I LAY BACK in the hot bath, beneath a blanke
t of thick fragrant bubbles, thinking of how sinfully indulgent this feels. Closing my eyes, I start wondering what Sebastian is cooking for dinner downstairs. Though the thing that really intrigues me, is what the 'something special' is, that he, in his own words, says he's planning for this evening. From the sexual tension, that has been building between us all day long, I think it's pretty obvious how this evening will end.

  I want to look special for Sebastian tonight, so I decide to wear something feminine and pretty. I pick out my short peach floral, peasant shift-dress with the long cut-out sleeves, hoping it will fit the bill, along with my white flat shoes. By the time I finish getting dressed, it's just going on eight, and time to head downstairs for dinner.

  Nervous anticipation settles in my tummy, as I make my way down the stairs. When I reach the bottom, I’m surprised to find all the lights are out. The only lighting is the soft glow from the dozen or more flickering candles, dotted around the living room. I don't know how Sebastian managed it, but the room has been transformed into a romantic dinner setting.

  The large square coffee table in the centre, is laid out for two people. The delicious aromas of hot food, coming from the serving dishes on the table, are making my mouth water, suddenly reminding me, I'm hungry. On the floor, in front of the coffee table, are three extra-large satin floor cushions, facing the cosy fire.

  I walk over to the fire, just as Sebastian enters the room carrying two flute glasses of bubbly wine. He looks ever so handsome, wearing a loose white linen shirt over a pair of dark casual slacks. When he gets closer, I'm surprised to find he's not wearing any shoes.

  “Wow, Rachel, you look beautiful this evening,” he comments, passing a glass to me. "Did you enjoy your bath?"

  “Yes, thank you. It was very relaxing.” I reply, taking a sip of wine. My cheeks warm, almost instantly, feeling the alcohol go straight to my head. “Everything looks so beautiful, Sebastian. When did you get time to do all this?”

  “It’s amazing what a man can do, when he is highly motivated,” he says, his eyes sparkling with hidden intentions. Wow! He looks so boyishly charming and downright hot, the way his mouth quirks up on one side, when he smiles. I try to suppress a nervous giggle, but fail miserably.

  “What do you find so amusing?” he asks, arching his eyebrows.

  Moving closer to him, I place my hand on his chest, as I lean up and plant a soft kiss on his cheek. “Thank you Sebastian, this is truly amazing, and I’m starving.” I reply, surprising myself with my own boldness.

  “You are most welcome, Rachel. I thought you would feel more relaxed, eating in here tonight. Come, lets sit.” I take his offered hand, letting him lead me over to the cushions. Sebastian helps me to get settled on the cushions, with my legs to one side. He then sits down on the cushion next to mine. Surprisingly, they are very comfortable.

  The soft sensual sounds of a Latin guitar, coming through the integrated sound system, create the perfect mood, for a romantic dinner. I listen to it, while Sebastian serves the first course. "These are crab-stuffed portobello mushrooms, topped with breadcrumbs and cheese,” he announces, transferring two mushrooms onto each plate.

  He then sits back and watches me, as I slice a piece off and take a bite, “Mmm, these are delicious Sebastian, where did you learn to cook?”

  “If you must know," he starts, after taking a bite of his own mushroom. "I have not always been a property developer. I did a lot of different jobs, back when I was at university. One of which, was working in a restaurant kitchen. The head chef taught me a few tricks.”

  “Well, you must have been a good student, because these are perfect. Tell me, what other jobs have you done?”

  “Far too many to remember them all,” he says, not bothering to elaborate. It's disappointing, because I'd really like to know, more about this mysterious knight in shining armour, who wants to keep me safe.

  When we finish, Sebastian clears the plates away and then serves the main course, veal in saltimbocca sauce and steamed vegetables, from the other serving dishes. He then opens a new bottle of wine, this time a red. He pours it into fresh glasses, explaining that, “This is an Italian Barolo Rocche. It's one of my favourites, and I think it goes well with the veal.”

  “Sorry, Italian what?" I ask, chewing on a mouthful of food.

  “Barolo Rocche. It's made from a old variety of grape, grown in northern Italy. Do you like it?”

  “I’m not sure," I reply, taking my first sip. "I’m not usually a fan of full-bodied wines, but I think I do like it. And, you’re right, it does compliment the flavour of the veal.”

  “Tomorrow, we can go for a drive, if you like? There are a couple of wineries in the area, we could visit.”

  “That sounds like a lovely idea."

  Sebastian has definitely missed his calling when it comes to cooking. I enjoy every last mouthful of my dinner, and it's not long before my plate is empty. “My compliments to the chef. The dinner was amazing Sebastian, thank you,” I tell him, draining the rest of my glass.

  “Your welcome Rachel, but dinner is not quite over yet. I have something very special in mind for dessert.” I wait for him to elaborate, but he doesn't. Instead, he gets up and starts stacking the dirty dishes onto a tray. “Stay there, I will be right back.” Within a few minutes, he returns, carrying what I assume is dessert.

  “I don’t know if I can fit dessert in Sebastian, I already feel full.”

  “Does not matter for what I have in mind,” he says, sounding secretive.

  Suddenly erotic visions of him covering my body with melted chocolate and then licking it all off, enters my mind. The thought sends goosebumps raining over my skin. “Oh, and what’s that?”

  “I want you totally relaxed tonight Rachel. And, I think the best way to ensure that, is by giving you a massage,” he says, his mouth turning up into a wickedly seductive smile.

  I gulp. Holy crap!

  "A MASSAGE? SEBASTIAN you've spoilt me enough, already," I tell him panic rising in my chest. A massage usually involves getting your clothes off, doesn't it? The fact that, he's already seen my naked breasts doesn't count. "Dinner was more than enough. It was a real treat. I’ve never had a man cook dinner for me before."

  “Yes, but I want you much more relaxed," he says, with a mischievous look in his eye. He holds his hand out, urging me to stand up. "Come Rachel." With some reluctance, I take his hand, letting him help me to my feet.

  “Good girl. Now raise your arms, so I can get this dress off you."

  Alarm flashes before my eyes, making me suddenly freeze. “What? Do you have a towel or something, I can wrap around me?”

  With one eyebrow raised, he gives me a quizzical look.“Seriously Rachel? It's not like I haven’t seen you half-naked already." He continues staring at me, waiting for me to do as I'm told.

  After several anxious heartbeats, I give in. "Alright."

  Sebastian wastes no time, as he bends down and grabs the hem of my dress, pulling it up. And, like a good girl, I raise my arms, as he lifts it off and drops it on the sofa.

  “Mmm, very nice Rachel." I can feel my cheeks redden, as he runs his appreciative gaze over my body, clad in just my nude lace bra and matching panties. "Now lie face-down on the cushions.” With his assistance, I scramble back down on the cushions, lying on my front, as instructed. I can't believe, I'm letting him do this!

  My breath catches in my throat when he unclasps my bra and then slide the straps down off my shoulders, so that my back is exposed. A split second later, I hear him gasp in shock. My mind goes blank for a moment, and then it occurs to me, what he's looking at.