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Chapter Eleven
The night was the most incredibly beautiful thing Tempest had ever seen. It was clear and slightly cold, and overhead thousands of tiny stars were trying to outsparkle each other. She inhaled the scent of pine. A slight breeze carried the hint of wildflowers to her. Mist off the falls cleaned the air around them. She wanted to run barefoot through the forest and revel in the beauty of nature. For a moment she even forgot Darius as she raised her arms toward the moon, a silent offering of joy. Darius watched her face, felt the happiness consuming her. Tempest focused on whatever she was doing at the moment, taking it into her mind and body and enjoying it to the fullest. She seemed to know how to really live. Was it because she had had so little joy in her lifetime? Was. it because she had fought so hard simply to survive? He touched her mind, a silent, watchful shadow hovering in the background, that he might share the intensity of the moment with her.
And he did. He saw it all. Each separate, vivid detail of wonder. The exquisite beauty of the leaves bathed in silver light. The individual drops of mist sparkling like diamonds in the air around the waterfall. The prisms of color flowing from the frothy cascade. Bats wheeling and dipping at myriad insects. Darius could even see himself tall and powerful, intimidating, masculine. His long hail flowed to his broad shoulders, and his mouth was… He brought himself up short, a smile hovering close. She definitely liked his mouth.
Tempest thumped him hard in the chest. “Get that smug smirk off your face. I know exactly what you’re thinking.”
His hand came up beneath hers and trapped her small clenched fist against his chest. “I notice you do not at tempt to deny it.”
Her green eyes sparkled a teasing challenge. “Why should I? I have good taste. Most of the time,” she added pointedly.
He growled low in his throat, a sound meant to intimidate her, but instead she laughed. “Down, boy. Anyone with your arrogance can take a little bit of ribbing.” A he brought her hand to his mouth and nipped he knuckles menacingly, her laughter changed to an abrupt squeal of alarm.
“Do not count on it,” he cautioned, his white teeth gleaming like a predator’s. “I am like any man. I expect the woman I love to adore me and think me perfect.”
She gave an inelegant snort. “You’ll have a long way for that one.”
His black eyes, so compelling, burned over her face. “I do not think it will be so long, honey.”
“Go find yourself food. We have to meet the others,” Tempest said a little desperately. He could not look at her that way. He just couldn’t.
“And if I go, what will you do for me?” he prompted, rubbing her knuckles along his shadowed jaw. The sensation sent dark fire racing through her blood.
“I’ll be a good little girl and wait right here for you.” She made a face at him. “Don’t worry so much, Darius. I’m not really the adventurous type.”
He groaned at the blatant lie. “My heart could not take it if you were any more adventurous.” His black eyes pinned her. “Obey me in this, Tempest. I do not want to come back and find you hang-gliding off another cliff.”
She rolled her eyes. “What trouble can I possibly get into up here? No one’s around for miles. Really, Darius, you’re becoming totally paranoid.” She strode to a boulder with a flat top. “I’ll just sit here and contemplate nature until you return.”
“The other alternative is for me to tie you to a tree,” he mused, straight-faced.
“Try it,” she dared him, green eyes flashing fire.
“Do not tempt me,” he shot back, meaning it. He examined the boulder for himself. With Tempest, anything was bound to happen. A snake under the rock, a stick of dynamite blowing it up.
Tempest laughed at him. “Go away. Do you have any idea how pale you are? I’m afraid in a minute you’ll decide that I’m your midnight snack.” Swinging one crossed leg back and forth, feigning indifference, she blinked up at him, wishing she could take back the words. She didn’t want to give him any ideas. “Do have any idea how truly bizarre all this is?”
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