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Aiden should’ve reached out and closed it. He didn’t. The light turned on in the bathroom. She stood there, haloed by the light. More sweet, alluring, and exquisite than any woman he’d ever encountered.
Long seconds passed where he vacillated between holding his ground and storming across her bedroom, pinning her against the wall, kissing her, and forgetting every life path except for the one she was on.
He couldn’t see her blue eyes clearly as the bathroom light was behind her, but he felt as if she were beckoning to him, begging him to come to her, to love her as only he could.
Everlasting love. He was her beetle.
He felt weaker than a beetle.
She slid into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
What had happened? Had he hesitated too long?
It was for the best, but he felt like he’d lost the opportunity of a lifetime, more important than any security op or protection or rescue mission.
Aiden turned back into the main area and leaned against the wall for support. Had he ever felt this weak?
He slid off his suitcoat, tugged off his tie, and unbuttoned the top two buttons so he could catch a breath. He walked to the entry door and shut off the lights in the main area. He should go to bed. Instead, he sank down on the couch and buried his head in his hands. What was he doing?
He needed to be done with this op, get off this magical, mind-clouding island, and most importantly have some distance from the only woman who could blow his resistance and self-control apart.
The hardest part was Chalisa. She was innocent and enticingly sweet. She wasn’t trying to lure him in or trick him. Far from it. Simply being herself was more than enough to capture him heart, body, and soul.
Groaning, he leaned back against the couch cushions and closed his eyes.
Then he heard it. The bathroom door opened and Chalisa walked out. He froze and listened to her every movement, sliding the covers back, kneeling by the side of the bed. He knew she was praying. Of course she was. The light radiating from Chalisa was from above. Why was she drawn to him? He had no heavenly light.
After a long time on her knees, he heard her slide into the bed and stretch out. His heart beat too fast as he imagined her stretching in that bed.
Dad, help me, he begged.
Finally, the slight rustling of the sheets stilled and all he could hear was his too-quick breathing. Could she hear him? Why hadn’t she shut the door?
He should rush into his own bedroom, not only shut the door but shove a dresser in front of it to slow him down when the desire to rush for her in the night got too strong.
Tellingly, he didn’t move.
Chapter
Nine
Chalisa slid out of the beautiful lace dress and into a comfortable tank top and shorts pajama set. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and used the bathroom.
Turning off the bathroom light, she walked into her dark bedroom. The main area was also dark, but a glow from the castle’s exterior lights through the large windows gave her enough light to find her bed and drop to her knees.
Why hadn’t Aiden closed her door? Why hadn’t she? It didn’t matter as he’d gone to bed and once again, he’d resisted kissing her. It couldn’t matter because he had promised his dad, and they’d never be together. It was much kinder of Aiden to keep his distance like he was trying to do. Not that anything could stop her from loving him.
She said a very long prayer for help and insight and strength and for Aiden.
Sliding into the bed, she stretched out, her body tired and stiff from all the training Kingston was pushing her through. Aiden hadn’t complained for a minute even though she’d seen some bruises on his perfect body. When she’d stressed about the competition, Aiden had held her and reassured her. He was so perfect for her; if only he didn’t have some oath and deathbed promise.
Curling onto her side, she closed her eyes.
She was in an odd state between awake and asleep, but she felt a dark presence. Someone was coming for her. She was running and checking over her shoulder and she couldn’t get away. Even though she ran, she didn’t move. Darkness seeped toward her.
Jorge and his men.
They were going to catch her, and this time Aiden wasn’t going to rescue her.
