Page 29 of Prince of Tides
A shiver worked its way down my spine at the sincerity of his oath. Why did he feel the need to be so serious about it with me? We barely knew one another.
Yet, I couldn’t deny Ibelievedhim. It wasn’t just the lack of danger I picked up from him, but I actually feltsaferaround him. Which was trippy, considering I really didn’t know him.
“Can I ask you something?” I said as we went for the elevators.
“Anything.”
There he went again, being ultra-serious. Which, I guessed, was okay since my question was serious. But there was something deeper behind his response.
“Are you … clean?”
“Huh?” He looked at himself. “I haven’t had time to shower, no. I’m sorry. Do I smell bad?”
“What? No, not that.” I groaned. “We had sex. Without a condom. I wasn’t thinking, it was so stupid, and I just—are youclean?”
“Ah. Yes, I am. You have nothing to worry about.”
“How can you be sure?” I asked, eyes narrowing at the flippancy of his response.
“Blood work,” he said after a moment’s hesitation.
“What about since then?”
“There hasn’t been anyone,” he said, looking away.
Interesting. Was that a sore spot of his?
The elevator arrived at the top floor and spat us out. Once Rip had guided me inside, he set about making a pot of tea, saying it would help with the nerves. I already felt a hundred times better, but that didn’t mean I was ready to leave just yet.
What if Eric has another way to follow me—to find me while I’m driving alone in the countryside?
I didn’t want to be caught alone like that.
“Here,” Rip said, handing me a steaming mug before filling one for himself. He blew gently on the liquid, then took a sip.
“Thank you,” I said, doing the same. “Mmm, that’s good.”
“I’m glad. It’s—”
The door opened behind us. Rip was already up and moving. His reflexes weregood. I couldn’t believe how fast he made it between the door and me.
Over my shoulder, I saw a tall man with gray hair—not white like Rip’s but definitely grayed with age—standing in the opening. His features were grizzled but still quite handsome despite his age. The firm, muscular body he obviously worked hard to maintain made him quite attractive for someone that old.
Not anything like Rip, but handsome enough even I could admit it.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said with extreme respect. “My prince, I didn’t know you were coming. We would have cleaned up.”
Rip sighed heavily. “It’s fine, Eb. Don’t worry about it.”
“Of course, sire. Anything I can do for you while you’re here?”
“Not at the moment.” Rip flicked his head at the door, and Eb seemed to get the hint. He nodded and departed swiftly.
Rip continued to stare at the door, and I noted how his shoulders sagged a bit. As they should.
“Prince?” I demanded. “What?”
When he finally turned, I saw the regret on his face. “Laurie, listen. This isn’t how I intended for you to find out.”
