Page 112 of Rafe

Skylar turned to the basket and began to rummage through what appeared to be a basket full of kitchen towels. “Hey, Dad. I think Mom gave me the wrong…”

Her words trailed to silence, an awareness of his presence falling over her without him ever saying her name out loud. Skylar.

“Rafe?” Her pulse raced as she turned around to see him standing at the cliff’s edge.

Dressed in white linen pants and shirt, Rafe appeared as if he’d stepped out of an Italian fashion magazine. Tanned, with his face shaved and his hair slicked back, he wore a huge smile.

“I’ve missed you, sweetheart.”

“How did you get here?” Confusion swept over her as she looked back to the house. Her mom and dad peered at them through the glass sliding doors. They knew.

“Please don’t blame Patty and Neil.” Rafe took another step toward her.

She froze. Her heart pounded in her chest, fighting the urge to touch him, kiss him. She rooted her feet into the ground.

“You look beautiful.” Rafe took another step toward her.

“I…thank you.” At a loss for words, she gave a tight smile. “I’m sorry I left.”

“Today is a day for celebration,” he replied as he turned back to the steps and waved his hand.

“Henri?” Skylar peered down to the dingy, mind piecing together how they’d arrived. “How did you get here?”

“Henri. Would you mind doing a little setup for us?”

“Of course, sir.” Ilsbeth’s dutiful butler carried a huge red velvet sack and slung it onto the picnic table.

“What’s happening?” She laughed as he shook out a white satin runner and rolled it onto the ground.

“Almost done.” Rafe smiled. “It’s kind of a surprise.”

“My parents know about this?” She glanced back at them and then focused back on Rafe. Henri carried a white wicker basket filled with white and red roses, and commenced sprinkling copious amounts of petals onto the ground.

“This is lovely but what’s happening?”

“Patience.”

“But Rafe—” Skylar’s stomach flipped as Rafe winked at her, his sexy lips tempting her. His delicious woody scent drifted into her nose, reminding her of their night together.

“I wanted to make sure this was exactly right.”

Skylar laughed. “Rafe, I don’t understand. I mean I guess friends can enjoy a sunset.”

The butler gave a bow and smiled at Skylar before resuming a place next to the table, ever watchful of Rafe. “Thanks, Henri.”

Skylar smiled at the sight of all the rose petals. What could he possibly be doing? “Are you sure you’re okay, Rafe? I know we all went through a lot the past couple of days.”

“I’m better than okay. I’m great. This past week. I went back home. Ran with my old pack. I finally got to sleep in my own bed. I got things in order for this winter. But…I couldn’t stop thinking about us.”

Skylar’s heart pounded in her chest as he spoke. Rafe closed the distance between them.

“That night we met in New Orleans, my life changed. There was something about you from the beginning. Dancing with you that night? I think I knew then. But when we decided to be just friends?” He laughed. “That was a lie. I wanted you so much. I couldn’t even feed after being with you, because you were my soul mate. You. I knew long before you shifted. Long before the spell.”

Skylar’s heart ached, her entire body wanting to rush into his arms. She bit her lip, willing her patience to hold steady as he continued.

“And for a minute after the spell, when I was certain I was no longer a vampire, it was still you. I was so pissed at Greyson for taking you home. I couldn’t stop thinking about us.”

Skylar put her hand in his as he reached for her, her gaze on his.