Free Secret Nights at Nine Oaks by Amy J. Fetzer Page B

them, a barrier, a wall, he didn’t know what. “So have you seen the whole plantation?”
    He was closer now, close enough that she could see the sparkle of gold in his eyes. Sexy, restrained power.
    â€œYeah, except your bedroom.”
    â€œThat can be arranged,” he said in a heavy voice.
    Awareness simmered between them. “Is that an invitation?” She arched a tapered brow.
    His body clenched at the thought. “For a tour,” he clarified wisely, yet the image of her in his bed sent his mind off to a place he shouldn’t go.
    â€œOh, well. How about showing me all of the secret passages?”
    â€œâ€™Zannah told you,” he muttered dryly, then dipped his spoon into her shrimp salad. “When?”
    â€œYears ago,” she said with feeling. “How do you think we skipped out of here so often?”
    He shrugged. “Conning Benson.”
    â€œI adore him, but no. He’d tell if we’d really misbehaved.”
    He was eating off her plate, she off his, tasting and sharing, so that neither realized the time passing. For long moments, Cain listened to her chat about her family. Phoebe had a sister and brother, both married with children and living on another coast. Cain’s parents were off on a summer tour of Europe.
    â€œI’d have thought you’d be married with kids by now, Phoebe.”
    She groaned. “You sound like my mother.”
    He made a rolling motion for her to keep going.
    â€œYes, I want all those girlie dreams, marriage, kids…someday I’ll have a house full of children.”
    She got a faraway look that pricked his heart. “You certainly have the energy to chase after them.”
    She smiled. “They’re such fun. Everything is new to them. Makes you look at the world differently. I think people make the mistake of thinking that once they can talk, they can also understand.”
    Cain drew up his knee and leaned his back against the post. He wasn’t interested in eating or the view, but in listening to her, watching her. She sat with one leg bent, the other swinging slowly in the water as she hovered over the meal. Her appetite was nothing short of startling for one so small. Her petite size made him feel so gargantuan near her. Protective.
    Thoughts of Kreeg and what he might have done to her crept into his mind, and he bit back the questions that plagued him. He didn’t want to ruin this peaceful moment with her. He was deep in his own thoughts and didn’t notice she was standing till she brushed him. He looked up.
    â€œI want to move this back from the sun,” she said, and he stood to help her tug the quilt farther under the shade.
    She was on the edge, reaching for his tea glass when Cain twisted to take it from her. She turned at the same time, and he bumped her.
    He heard her indrawn breath and stared, horrifiedas she lost her footing, then dropped backward into the water.
    â€œPhoebe!” He scrambled to the edge, kneeling, impatient for her to surface. “Phoebe!” Oh God. He drove his hand under the water and felt nothing. Memories of Lily crowded rational thought, his heartbeat escalating out of control.
    Phoebe popped up, pushing her hair out of her face and laughing hysterically. “Oh, for pity sake.”
    â€œGive me your hand!” He reached out.
    â€œIt’s okay.” She treaded water. “I’m fine.” She dived under, then came up closer to him. Instantly, he scooped her under the arms and lifted her out of the water and onto the dock. Then she was in his arms, his strength crushing her to his body. He buried his face in the curve of her neck, his breathing fast and harsh.
    Something’s very wrong, Phoebe thought. “You’re getting wet.”
    â€œI don’t care.”
    Then she realized he was trembling. She eased back to look at him, and brushed his hair off his face, cupped his lean jaw. Then she remembered his wife