Chapter 24 - Psyche

"Time to wake up, sleepyhead," Alexa called in a sing-song voice that would've made songbirds jealous. It just made me want to hit her.

"You are aware that I didn't go to sleep until really late at night, right?" I groaned as I pulled the covers over my head to block out the blaring sunlight.

"Um-hum," she answered, snapping the covers away, "which is why I let you sleep in. It's almost three in the afternoon."

Sitting up, I rubbed the sleep from my eye with a knuckle and winced. "I've been asleep for twelve hours?"

"Must be some evenings you're having."

"It's not like that," I blurted. "I mean, not that you care. Or that I should be talking about this. Or..." I flopped back onto my pillow. "I think I need more sleep."

"No you don't." Alexa grabbed my hand and hoisted me out of bed. "If you don't get up now, you'll never go back to sleep before dawn. Besides, you need to eat. You're having a late dinner."

Suddenly I was wide awake. "Why? He's not going to be late is he?"

For some reason the thought of him not showing up right as darkness conquered light really bothered me.

"Aren't we paranoid today?" Alexa teased. "I'm sure he'll be right on time. But you'll have to wait to dine until he gets here."

"Dinner? He's coming to have dinner with me?" The warmth of excitement crept up my neck. First birthday cake and a trip to the ocean. Now dinner. I could get used to these surprises.

With sudden clarity, I realized I wasn't just getting used to his attention, I was craving it.

So, exactly how late is dinner going to be? I asked when my stomach growled a noisy protest. I hadn't eaten much lunch and was paying for it now.

Alexa combed my hair back and placed a silver headband around my curls. "Soon, Miss Impatient. Is it dark yet?"

"Close enough," I all-but-pouted. "I wish the days weren't getting longer. From now on, no getting me up early."

She laughed. "I wouldn't exactly call three early." She gave my curls one last tousle. "There, finished."

"Perfect, let's go." I grabbed her wrist and bolted with her in tow.

"You didn't even look," she complained.

I was now well-enough acquainted with Alexa's handiwork to know that anything she touched would come out with her mark of perfection. Looking wasn't necessary.

We rounded the corner into the dining room, but it was empty. No set plates or waiting goblets. No sounds of musicians tuning their instruments or the chatter of the servant's last-minute preparations. "If you'd bothered to slow down for a minute, I would've told you that you were going the wrong way."

My eyes snapped back in Alexa's direction. "What's going on? I'm starving."

Just then, all the candles and lanterns extinguished and the room was blanketed in dark. Alexa wiggled free of my grasp, but I didn't really try to stop her. He was here. His scent, a mixture of crisp spring air and subtle pine, announced his arrival as much as the darkness. When had I memorized how he smelled? My chest constricted like the time I dove too deeply into the river as a child; a pressure intense and crushing and exciting. Your body knowing it's more alive than ever from being on the cusp of something dangerous.

His voice rumbled at the same moment those hypnotic blue eyes emerged from the shadows. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting." Placing my hand into the crook of his elbow, he steered me toward the gardens. "I understand you're a little hungry."

"I'll survive, I guess," I said and smiled, hoping he got my sarcasm.

We sat together on a marble couch, reclining against the pillows to look at the stars. They twinkled and blinked, radiating a brilliant light. "Which one's your favorite?" he asked as his fingers entwined in mine.

"A favorite star? How could you pick one out as different from any of the others?"

"You're not really looking." He pulled his fingers away. Laying his hand over mine, he guided my index to finger to point at the sky. "See these star They're the constellation Leo. See, there's his head." Our hands traced an invisible pattern in the air. "This is his body, and his tail curves like this to the right."

His touch sent rays of heat up my arm until I felt ready to singe. "Amazing," I whispered, and he released my hand. "Oh no, show me some more."

"Gladly, but I thought you were hungry."

I rolled onto my side to face him. "Food can wait, I guess."
His eyes cut behind me and I swore I saw a chuckle in them. "Perhaps, he said, "but I doubt Mathias cares to stand idly by while we look at the stars."

Feeling suddenly embarrassed for practically snuggling, I hopped to my feet and straightened my silk gown.

"No need to get up, my Lady," Mathias said. "I'll just set your food on the tripod here. Call if you need anything."

"Yes, of course," I blurted, still feeling awkward. My hands needed something to do, so I set about uncovering the plates of delicacies. “Umm...grape leaves, calamari." I lifted another lid. "Looks like lamb kabobs here. Where shall we start?"

"You pick," he answered. "But this game has rules too."

My hands flopped to my sides. "What is it with you and rules? Can't I just eat?"

"Come here." He held out a darkened hand and I obeyed, bringing the plate of lamb. As I sank into the couch, he took the plate and guided me back until I was reclining again. "Only one rule, this time. You have to let me feed you."

"What?" I asked, trying to sit up. His hand caught my shoulder, pressing me softly back into the pillows.

"I learned something new last night: I love watching you eat. It's beautiful, the way you lick little crumbs away from the corner of your lip. The way your eyes roll back in pleasure when you bite into something you enjoy. Please," he asked, "let me give you that."

He plucked one of the lamb bites from the kabob. My lips parted and my teeth sank into the juicy meat. A dribble ran down my chin, but he wiped it away with a long caress of his finger. I couldn't get over the feeling of being watched while I chewed. Covering my mouth so I could talk with my mouth full, I asked, "Aren't you going to eat."

"Sure," he said. Plucking another lamb chunk from the kabob, he tossed it into the air and caught it with his mouth when it fell.

I gulped. "Show off."

"I'm just getting started," he answered. "I have better tricks than that."

His eyes smoldered into mine and I couldn't look away. Leaning in, I could feel his warm breath as my own breathing hitched in my chest. His lips wer nearly on mine when my stomach rumbled again. Loudly.

"Apparently one piece of lamb wasn't enough," I said, giving myself an embarrassed pat on the belly.

"Hmm..." he grumbled as he backed away. "I guess I'm not doing such a good job feeding you then." He leaned over and pulled the tripod nearer. "Trust me?"

A smirk pulled at my lips. "Didn't we establish that last night?"

"Then close your eyes. It's better if it's a surprise." Obediently, I squeezed my eyes shut. "Okay, open up." A string of crunchy fried calamari wound into my mouth, the hint of seafood mixed with a smooth tomato puree.

"That's amazing," I said, looking up at him.

"Eyes closed, please." He pivoted away to block my view of the next plate.

"Sorry," I said with a swallow. Eyes closed, I asked, "Next?"

A burst of melon juice shot into my mouth as my teeth sank into the fresh fruit. Following the tangy calamari, the melon was all the more sweet. My tongue shot out to lick the juice from the corner of my lips. That's wha he thinks is cute? I'd never even noticed I was doing it before.

"Now the grand finale," he promised. My mouth hinged open as I waited. His smooth fingers found my chin, pulling my mouth open wider. A mouthful of moist chocolate cake melted on my tongue. "Mmmm," I murmured, even as I felt my eyes rolling back into my head. I guess I really do that too. "You've got to try this," I said.

"I was just waiting for you to ask." His lips fell to mine. Food, even chocolate, was forgotten as he all but drank me in. His hand cradled my head as our kiss deepened. Slowly, his hand traced down my neck to my shoulder, pushing aside the strap of my gown.

My heart jumped into my throat, racing like a rabbit. His lips pulled away with a reluctant tug. "Don't be nervous." He kissed my bare shoulder. "I just liked you too much without the straps." His eyes tunneled into mine. "Indulge me?"

I nodded and he slipped the other strap off. Fingers, soft as baby's flesh, traced the contours of my collar bone and shoulders. My chest rose under his touch, craving the gentle feel of his caress, chasing the movement of his fingertips.

"You are divine," he whispered into my neck before gifting it with more of his tender kisses. "But we really ought to go inside," he murmured.
When had I gotten so addicted to him? Two days ago he made my flesh crawl, now my skin was humming under his fingers. "Why?" I breathed.

"Because if I don't stop kissing you, I might never let you go."

I opened my mouth to protest, to tell him we could stay under the stars a bit longer, but he was right. As the rush of adrenaline coursed away, my courage went with it. What in Hades was I doing? And why was I liking it so much?

Chapter end