Page 368 of Flirting with Darkness

Grunting, Kharon narrows his eyes as his palm now squeezes my shoulder. “Firstly, I don’t trust Marchand as far as I can throw him.”

“But I thought you two worked out your differences?”

“Sure, we came to terms with the fact I was just as much a victim as Melchior, but that hardly makes us friends. If you haven’t been able to tell, I’m not the overly friendly-trusting type.”

Rolling my eyes, I scrunch my face. “No one knows that more than me.”

Leaning his head to one side, his mouth curves into a soft frown. “But that didn’t stop you, did it?”

Taking his chin in my hand, I shake my head. “You don’t scare me, Kharon. I grew up around monsters, remember?” An appreciative smile spreads across his face, but he remains silent. “So, you’re not friends. I get that. Now tell me the second reason you didn’t want Dalcour compelling my memory.”

“Vampires like Marchand would have most believe that compelling is just some mindless control. On the contrary, it is a very intimate and intricate ability. The last thing I want is for there being an intimacy shared between you. The only one sharing intimacy with you is me. Is that understood?” Kharon says with a firm hold at my back. He’s got me pressed so tightly against him; I can feel the rigid steel of his manhood at my abdomen.

As much as I want for nothing than to lose myself in the moment, I know better than to do so here. Pushing back a bit, I try to change the subject. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I tried getting out of there as soon as I could.”

Brushing his hair from his face, he dashes a sexy grin. “It’s all right, beautiful. I would wait an eternity.

Kissing his cheek, I shake my head. “Liar,” I say with a raised brow. He’s not fooling me.

“Well, okay, you got me. Had you all sung that Bublé song one more time I would’ve had to come get you out of there,” he chuckles.

Poking his shoulder I giggle. “Oh come on! You don’t likeLet it Snow?I mean it’s kind of apropos don’t you think?”

“Actually, I liked the Joni Mitchell song you sang while your aunt played the piano.”

Twirling my fingers through my hair, I blush. “OhRiver. Yeah, I like that one too. It just felt different singing it this year.”

“I bet.” Kharon’s voice seems to drop almost two octaves. Both the longing stare in his eye and hardness of him against my abdomen now as he pulls me close tells me all I need to know. “Let’s go. I have something to show you.”

Kharon doesn’t give me a chance to respond as he quickly wraps me beneath his trench and sprinkles onyx sand at our feet. With one spin of his heel, we’re made invisible and take our flight into the night. This time, however, I take time to marvel at the sight of the faint shimmering lights, illuminating the otherwise dark night.

A clear evening sky with nothing but the stars above us, and twinkling Christmas lights below, it feels like a storybook setting. Who knew darkness could be so beautiful?

Landing near Kharon’s cave, I’m surprised when he doesn’t take us inside. Instead, he leads us to the side of his dwelling. Removing his coat, we are released from invisibility as Kharon takes my hand in his..

The sound of cascading water from the distance as we round the corner reveals a stately waterfall flowing into a large river. Large rocks shine like glass as the water glides effortlessly over each stone as it makes its way down the brook. Not only am I surprised to see my first waterfall, but it’s the sight of a long boat made out of what appears to be bones and oak drawing my attention.

“Is this—” I gasp, covering my mouth.

A crooked smile curves at the corner of Kharon’s face and he smiles. “Yes.”

Taking small steps forward, I lean over his ferry, looking inside. I’m surprised to find his craft sleek and smooth inside. “I thought there’d be more bones.”

Hunching his shoulders, Kharon allows an almost bashful smile. “I could certainly add some if you think that’s best.”

Waving my hands in protest, I laugh. “Absolutely not!” Walking along the side of the boat, I reach out to touch it, but pull back. “Can I?”

Gesturing his palm toward me, he smiles. “Of course.”

“Okay, are you sure? I mean I’m not going to die right now or something?” I’m half serious.

Issuing me his smoldering, panty-dropping stare, Kharon dips his head low. “I can assure you, that is not your fate Rae Vereen. But if you’d allow me, I’d like to give you a tour.”

A whiff of smoke blows by me and a dark cloud whips around me. In a flash, I look up and see Kharon now inside the ferry. Offering his hand to me, he pulls me up, in one smooth stride, into the vessel.

The inside is bigger and deeper than it looks on the outside.

“Wow!” I shriek turning about. “How many people can you fit in here?”

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