Page 144 of Seduction Under the Southern Stars

“You’re such a pirate.”

I just chuckle.

“I’ll pay you the money,” she says.

“That won’t be necessary. It was a gift.”

She looks back at it. “Did you get it for me? Or because you think it’ll get you back in Dad’s good books?”

“I know that’ll never happen,” I say honestly. “I admit I wanted to do something nice for your mum, after all she’s been through. But like my wings, I got it mainly for you, Lora.”

I know that Maureen is probably watching us from behind the curtains, and I’m also conscious that Etana is in the car. But, unable to wait, I cup Elora’s face and lower my lips to hers, and give her a long kiss, while the rain falls lightly on our hair, and the rainbows from the waterfalls arc over our heads.

Chapter Thirty-One

Elora

Etana takes us to the Riverside Lodge, drops us by the reception block, and carries in our cases. Linc goes up to the desk and informs them that we have a lodge booked for the night. I didn’t know he’d done that. But then I obviously didn’t know he’d done a lot of things.

I stand by the window, looking out at the view of the river, feeling the ring in its box in my pocket. My head is still spinning with the knowledge that he contacted Maureen to see if she had the ring. He insinuated he did that before he asked me to join him on the cruise. But he chose not to tell me, because he thought I might not go with him.

I’m not sure how I feel about the fact that he… if not lied to me, then misled me. He wanted to spend time with me. Who wouldn’t feel flattered about that? But I wish he’d just been honest and asked me. Of course I’d have gone with him. I’m crazy about the guy.

But it’s a very Linc thing to do. Not lie, but to act on the fly, and not put much thought into it. When he heard from Maureen, I’m sure he would have come up with the idea not to tell me on the spot. He wouldn’t have angsted over the advantages and disadvantages of such a decision. I don’t believe he’s even considered what he’s done as lying.

He turns now, a key in his hand, Etana takes our cases, and they walk toward me. “Come on,” Linc says, holding out his free hand. “We’re in the end lodge.”

I let him lead me out, and we walk along a pathway, the lodges on our right and the river on our left. Thick rainforest coats the other side of the bank and the side of the mountain behind the lodge, and I find myself thankful that we don’t have any venomous spiders or snakes in New Zealand. It’s a beautiful setting. The sun is low in the sky, which is a gorgeous lilac color, fringed with orange. The stars are going to be magnificent here tonight.

Etana leads us all the way to the last lodge on the path, takes the key from Linc, and unlocks it for us. Someone has already switched on the lights so the cottage glows like a jewel in the gathering dusk. I follow him inside, and we find ourselves in a clean and pleasant wooden cottage with a living room, separate bedroom, floor to ceiling glass windows, and a deck with a table and chairs where you can eat overlooking the view of the river. Etana brings the cases in for us and tries to stop Linc giving him a tip, but Linc talks him into it, and he grins and wishes us a pleasant stay before leaving, closing the door behind him.

We stand in the living room, looking out at the view. It’s so quiet. The sound of the river tumbling over the rocks is just audible, but I can’t hear any traffic or voices.

I glance at Linc and discover him watching me. “Are you mad at me?” he asks.

I think about it. “No, I’m not mad. I’m incredibly touched by what you’ve done. It was very thoughtful of you to make sure that Maureen had it before we came all this way.” I look out at the view for a moment before looking back at him and continuing, “But I am a bit upset that you weren’t honest with me. I wish you’d been more open and told me what you were doing, and then asked me to come with you on the cruise openly. I understand why you didn’t, because you were worried I’d say no. I wouldn’t have. I’d have said yes. But it would have been nice to have had the option.”

He slides his hands into the pockets of his jeans and studies his feet for a moment. Then he looks back at me. “Yeah, I get that. I’m sorry.”

“I know that’s how you work. You don’t plan. You make decisions on the spot. And you meant well, so I forgive you. But I don’t like feeling powerless.”

That makes him frown. “I didn’t think of it like that. Ah, jeez, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. We’ve talked a lot about control over the past few days—it seems to be a bit of a theme with us. Giving up control in the bedroom is one thing, and I’ve really been enjoying that. But outside the bedroom… I need to make my own decisions. To feel as if I have agency over my life. Does that make sense?”

He nods. “Absolutely.” He pulls me into his arms and wraps them around me. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t think.”

I snuggle up against him. “I know. It’s okay.”

“The last thing I want to do is make you feel powerless.”

“I know, honey. Honestly, it’s okay, because you were very sweet, and I’m thrilled that it hasn’t been a wasted journey where the ring is concerned. You didn’t want me to be disappointed—I get that, and I’m very touched.”

He rests his lips on my hair. “I’m crazy about you. You know that, right?”

I bury my face in his T-shirt, not replying. It’s a lovely thing for him to say, and I want to believe him. I think he means it right now—I don’t think he’s lying. But he’s a pirate—a gentleman of fortune—and in a few days, when he’s about to sail off back to his life in the UK, he might feel very different.

He clears his throat. “Are you hungry? We could go to the restaurant, or order something in?”

---