Page 110 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

“Yes.”

The word hung in the air between us. I was really going to do this—leave everything I knew behind and enter his world completely.

A smile transformed his features. “Good. That’s good.” He hesitated, then said, “Would you like to go swimming before it gets too hot today? I think Cinna would enjoy the beach, yes?”

“Swimming?” I blinked.

“I can take you to your secret cove.” His smile turned into a mischievous grin.

“You…” My brow furrowed. “You know about my cove? Oh. My memories. You saw it.”

“I did. Come now, let’s get out of the manor for a bit. I’ll handle Cinna. Go get your things. I’ll drive.”

I stood and closed the piano lid, my mind still reeling from everything that had just happened.

Ten minutes later, I was climbing into the passenger seat of a sleek sports car. He handed Cinna into my lap. She squirmed against me before settling down. I glanced over toward the driver’s seat and held back a laugh. Laurent looked completely different in his sunglasses, T-shirt, swim trunks, and flip-flops. I’d never seen him wear anything other than pants.

He was definitely less scary. Way less scary.

“Ready?” he asked, flashing me a toothy grin.

“Ready,” I confirmed, kissing the top of Cinna’s head.

He revved the engine, then sped out of the manor’s gates. It was the first time I’d left since my ordeal with the witches. This time, I wasn’t afraid to go. Maybe it was because Laurent was with me. When had that started, feeling safer with him than without?

27

The beach was entirely deserted. Laurent stretched out on their beach blanket, shaded beneath the sun umbrella, and propped himself up on his elbows. Cinnamon was passed out beside him, her fur still drying. He’d immensely enjoyed watching Lily chase her around, the two of them frolicking. Her laugh still echoed in his ears, bringing a small smile to his lips. She was a bright light, and being around her cast everything else into shadow.

Just out past the breaking waves, her head bobbed up before disappearing again. He fought the urge to join her. If she came to harm, he’d know. Their blood tied them together now. It’s how he’d felt her panic last night, how he’d known something was wrong while he rescued Zola.

A low growl simmered in his chest. He clenched a fistful of sand beneath the beach blanket and squeezed. If anything had happened to her…

He’d been reckless, too focused on getting Zola back to think of the consequences. Leaving Lily alone in the manor with no one but Vittorio and a few guards scattered about the grounds. He’d made too many mistakes recently.

Lily dove beneath the water’s surface, disappearing. The urge to be near her overpowered the urge to give her time alone. He sat up and ran a hand over Cinnamon’s belly. The pup barely stirred. He discarded his T-shirt and swam out to her. The water was shockingly cold against his skin as he cut through the waves.

She caught sight of him and smiled, treading water. “You look out of place,” she called.

“I can assure you, I am a strong swimmer.”

They drifted together.

“Oh yeah?” A wicked expression crossed her features. She surged toward him, using his shoulders to dunk him under the waves. He found himself laughing as he broke free of the surface. Laughing. When was the last time he’d laughed uninhibited?

He caught her, pulling her flush to him. “That was very naughty, little flower.”

She giggled, pushing against his chest. He refused to let her go, relishing in the way he could hold her without scenting her fear. The sandy bottom crept up beneath his feet, allowing him to stand.

His gaze darted to her mouth, to the heart shaped bow of her upper lip, before traveling lower yet. Her pulse fluttered at her throat as her scent changed. The organ in his chest began to race. “Stop that. I can smell your arousal. You’re making me hungry.”

Her eyes went wide. “Already?”

She misinterpreted the hunger, but he decided to play along. “Already.”

“I guess that’s understandable. I…” Her cheeks flushed. “I feel the same—hunger, I mean. I just worry about taking too much.”

A low laugh rumbled his chest. “You may feed from me whenever you wish. My blood will make you strong and healthy. Even keep you from aging. No negative effects other than your addiction to me.”