Page 34 of Toward Immortal Ruin

His lips slowly moved to her neck. Each delectable nip was both a taunt and a promise, the sensitized skin making her shiver as he worshipped her.

The man was indeed magical. This connection with Nero was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. She’d call him the man of her dreams, but she’d never dared to dream that far. And it wasn’t fair—to either of them.

Sobering, Eden pulled away, resting her head on his shoulder. If Nero noticed her reluctance, he didn’t mention it, simply tucking her into his side and affectionately wrapping an arm around her.

Familiar anxiety rose to strangle her as she attempted to reveal her illness. Every time she’d open her mouth to speak, something held her back. Sitting here, appreciating a tropical paradise and surrounded by Nero’s arms, Eden couldn’t bring herself to ruin what had been an enchanted day.

Tomorrow was the day. She would tell him about the ticking time bomb in her brain and brace herself for his reaction. A couple more hours of happiness wouldn’t hurt them.

By the time true darkness had fallen, her eyes had already closed, and she slept nestled into the heat of the man she’d eventually have to leave.

Chapter Eleven

Nero knew the momentshe’d given over to slumber. Her head lulled against him, her breathing soft and steady. He let himself simply enjoy the closeness of his mate, finally in his arms after so many years of longing.

The longer he spent around her, the more he yearned to tell her the whole truth and make things official. But it would be reprehensible to rush her or take advantage of her delicate mortal state.

Perhaps tomorrow he could broach the subject once more—this time without a potential shark attack to derail the conversation. Eden needed to know who she was with, and more importantly, what their future held.

If she was open to becoming immortal, she would have to choose between becoming a vampire or werewolf. Both had their own benefits and pitfalls, and only Eden could make that choice. Nero wouldn’t influence her one way or the other.

Earlier today, Nina had telepathed him confirming that Aidan would be open to turning Eden werewolf should she elect to take that route. It was a confirmation he’d needed before hecould broach the subject with her—and he’d been grateful to both immortals for offering what they had. He owed them both a great debt.

He stood with Eden cradled in his arms and stepped out of the jacuzzi. The patio door slid open ahead of them as he used his telekinesis to avoid jostling her. As soon as they hit the air-conditioned chill of his home, goosebumps broke out along her skin.

He frowned at the reminder of her vulnerability, and instantly grabbed a towel to drape over her while he padded silently up the stairs. She snuggled further into his chest, and he held back a pleased sigh.

As soon as he placed her in bed, her eyes fluttered open.

“I’m all wet! I’ll soak your mattress!”

“It doesn’t matter, love,” was his quiet reply.

With a huff, she leapt off the bed, the towel he’d draped over her falling to the floor. He now knew her ivory skin felt baby soft. Her hair was wildly curled from the salty adventure in the ocean, adding to her allure and magnetic beauty.

Before he could stop staring, she was already stripping the sheets.

“I can do that,” he offered, but she held up a hand.

“You carried me all over the beach, then in and out of the jacuzzi and up the stairs. Let’s give those arms a rest, Coffee Shop Cutie.” Those pale green eyes challenged him. “I think I can handle a set of sheets.”

“Aye aye, professor.”

He still helped, but unfortunately dripped even more water on the bed than she had. Once they finally got the soaked sheets in the laundry hamper, he led the way to the hall closet where he kept his linens and opened the door to … absolutely nothing.

The shelves that usually held perfectly folded sheets and blankets were bare except for a note from his ‘cleaning lady’ saying the dryer had gone out.

Extremely conscientious of this person that didn’t even exist. Nero had never had a cleaning lady. The entire farce screamed Key. She was engineering them together so that her prophecy cards fell right.

“Huh.”

“That’s bad timing.” Eden concealed a yawn behind a well-placed hand.

“Come on.” Nero tilted his head toward his bedroom. “There’s another bed.”

“Let me grab a night shirt and towel-dry my hair,” she said over her shoulder.

Nero took the chance to sprint to his bedroom and confirm it was in an acceptable condition. When she asked where he was from down the hall, he stuck his head out.

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