Page 28 of Toward Immortal Ruin

Her inner musings on the unfairness of life were interrupted by the clatter of pans.

“Hungry?”

Eden blushed. “Starving, actually.”

“Can I make you breakfast?”

And he cooked, too. Criminal. “Pretty sure it’s called lunch when it’s eaten at this hour, but I’ll totally take you up on that.”

“Do you like eggs Benedict?”

“Iloveeggs Benedict.” Eden’s mouth watered at the prospect. “I’ll be forever in your debt.”

Not that she wasn’t already. As Nero grabbed bacon and laid it in the waiting pan, Eden asked, “How long have you lived here?”

“I built the house about ten years ago, but I’ve always owned the plot of land. Been in the family for centuries.”

“Long lineage on the island?”

“You know it.” His gaze found hers, radiating sincerity. “I can’t wait to show you around and introduce you to everyone. I know they’ll be as charmed by you as I am.”

Giving him a look, she said, “Maybe I should play the lotto.”

“Why?”

“I’ve somehow managed to find the kindest, sweetest man I’ve ever met, who rescues me from rabid wolves, makes me feel like I’m the most important person in the world, and can somehow just whip up hollandaise sauce at a drop of a classical vampire reference.” She raised her eyebrows. “I think my chances of winning the Big Bucks are good.”

Ten minutes and some reasonably heavy-duty flirting later, Eden enjoyed the best eggs Benedict of her life. She wasn’t stingy with the praise for his culinary skills, which clearly made him outrageously happy.

“We should get out of the house before my head gets too big to make it through the door. Are you ready to see the island?”

“Absolutely. We’ve still gotta settle our bet between Oahu and Illinois. Besides,” she bit her lip, “I’d love to see it properly. I was a bit tired last night when we got in.”

“Ocean first, then.”

As soon as Nero slid open the spotless glass door, the crash of waves nearly made her knees buckle. She hadn’t imagined hearing the sound. Eden couldn’t stop her feet from moving toward the rocky crag that set about two hundred feet from the back of his home.

Black volcanic rock jutted out from the manicured lawn, capping off the frenzied water below, a roar that never dulled. She couldn’t stop a gasp at the beauty of the vast, deep blue horizon.

When Nero’s arm coiled around her waist, she dissolved into his hold, content in his warmth and overjoyed with the opportunity to be here.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“It’s absolutely amazing. You were right: Oahu leaves Illinois in the dust.” She sniffed. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“Wouldn’t have had it any other way, professor.” A rumble of masculine laughter, followed by that odd vibration she could’ve sworn was a purr. “Have you had your fill of ocean, or would you like to enjoy a bit longer?”

“Oh, I don’t think I’lleverhave my fill of ocean.”

Nero didn’t respond, but his arm cinched tighter, and she eagerly rested her head on his chest. Casual intimacy felt so natural with him. It was almost instinctive, as though they’d always belong to each other.

Tearing her eyes away from the frothy dark blue below the cliffs, Eden’s attention shifted toward the cluster of palm trees next to his home. Picture perfect wide palm fronds swayed withthe consistent breeze, but something had caught her eye. A pattern of parallel scores against the bark, as if a large animal had taken claws to it. Curiouser and curiouser.

She suddenly realized she completely trusted Nero to keep her safe, as ridiculous as that certainty might seem for someone she’d only met days before, in a place that she’d never been in.

“I can’t believe you live here. It’s so perfect.”

“Precisely my reason for staying.” He tipped his head inland. “Come on, there’s so much more I want to show you.”

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