Halting inside the back door, he takes both my hands and stares into my eyes. His expression softens, and the tenderness there sends a deep ache to my heart. “I would love you under any circumstances, Tilda. Though if your path had been different, I don’t know if we would have found each other. You might have stayed in your native Germany, and I would be here, looking for a better life.”
I cup his cheek. “Somehow, I think we would have come together.” It’s maybe the most hopeful thought I’ve had in many years.
Leaning in, he kisses my palm. “That is a nice thought, love. Come.” He opens the curtains.
I expect to flinch from the afternoon sun, but the canopy of tall trees blocks much of the light, and the day is overcast. Also, the slider is tinted a dark gray. Touching the glass, I ask, “Have these always been tinted?”
A flush of color warms his cheeks where the hair is light around his eyes, nose, and mouth. “I had all the windows tinted after the first week of protecting you.”
Maybe that’s weird, but I love it. “That was very thoughtful.” I laugh. “And presumptuous.”
“I like to think it was hopeful. I’m still hopeful.” He opens the sliding door and leads me onto his back patio. The pavers are arranged in a circular pattern and spread out from the house for twenty feet. A few leaves have started to color and fall in these last days of summer. Still, the air is warm.
Birds chirp from high in the mix of maple, birch, pine, fir, and spruce. To the left, several old oaks create a deep canopy over a pond. The water is like glass.
“Max, this is paradise.” I drop my robe and run toward the water.
“It is now.” He strides after me.
With little thought, I leap headfirst. The cool water soothes any remaining aches and pains. It can’t wash away all my regrets, but maybe there’s room for new memories and a new life.
A fish slithers along my leg as I cut through the water. Breaching the surface, I come up for air, though I don’t really need it. It’s my desire is to see Max’s face that pushes me up.
I find him standing on the shore, watching me and smiling. “You like it?”
“I’d love it if you’ll come and swim with me.” I breaststroke a few feet closer.
“It won’t hurt my feelings if you want to enjoy the water on your own. I know you liked being in the lake on your own allthose nights,” he says, toeing the ground and stuffing his hands into his jeans’ pockets.
Turning onto my back, I wave my hands through the water. “I always knew you were there, Max. Why else would I tarry and float so long? I loved that you watched me and hoped that it was for more reasons than keeping me safe in case Pierre returned.”
“I don’t swim as well as you.” He takes off his boots and strips out of his clothes.
I watch every beautiful inch of him as he steps into the water. Covered in hair that tickles and stimulates every part of my skin when he holds me, he’s pure perfection. “I’m a swan. Not many creatures swim as well as we do.”
He pushes forward and swims over to me well enough before lying on his back and floating.
Unable to resist, I glance to see his thick shaft standing perpendicular to the rest of him. “I had no idea swimming would be so arousing.”
“Yes, you did. Do you think I can look at you, healthy and naked, and not get a hard-on?” He floats closer and takes my hand.
Everything about him and this place is magical. “I’m not evil.”
There’s a long pause. “No, Tilda. You’re a hero.”
“I thought…” I swallow all those years of being afraid of who and what I am. “Maybe I can be a vampire and a swan.” If that’s even possible.
“I’m pretty sure that’s what you are, regardless of whether you can shift or not.” He squeezes my fingers. “I know it’s soon and I know you deserve to be courted properly, but one day, I’d like for you to live here.”
My heart beats twice. “You might not like me after you date me.”
“I’ll like you. I’ll love you. Always.” The last word is a whisper.
Wings flapping force me to drop my feet so I can look to the sky. Four pure white swans beat their wings to slow, stirring the water until they settle on the surface. “Oh. Look, Max.”
“I hoped they’d come once they saw you here.” He stands behind me, his height allowing him to reach the bottom with his chest above water. Wrapping his arms around me from behind, he kisses my ear.
“They’re not at all afraid I’ll hunt them.” I grip his hands where they lay at my abdomen and lean into him.
