RHYME WOKE UP REJUVENATED, AND looking
forward to her first date of the day. She couldn’t wait to get through this
first stage and eliminate the killer, and start on the real process of finding
a mate. Her first date was with Myles Dunkin, and they were going to make
breakfast together. She had to admit there were few things sexier than a man
that could cook, and the easy-going atmosphere was the perfect way for her to slip
into asking questions about motive, and whether or not her date had killed
Jackson.
The very thought made her shiver. If she
was half as smart as Chloe gave her credit for, she’d send them all packing,
and go find her mate on her own. She’d already established there was nothing
specific stating she had to choose one of the ten men her father suggested in
order to fulfill the stipulation in the will. Each of the Manchester siblings
just needed to mate and marry within one year of their father’s death to
receive the inheritance. They all agreed to give it a try. And ever since they
started this process, death and destruction plagued their family.
But Tobias put everyone under house arrest
so she’d be a fool not to take advantage of the situation, and give the men a
chance to win her heart. They all knew what was at stake, and they were
committed to making this happen. It left her with far better odds than going
out and searching for someone on the street to marry.
It still didn’t settle her mind about the
possibility that one of their nine guests was a killer. According to the files
Tobias had given her, Myles, Jackson, and his brother, Matt, served in the
military together, and there was a connection that suggested Jackson could’ve
done more to save Matt, who died in the line of duty. Losing a brother, and
believing someone could have saved them, was a strong motive. Rhyme couldn’t
imagine losing River or even Rayne. Despite their volatile relationship history,
Rayne she was her sister, and blood was thicker than water. Their father taught
them family was always first. Did Myles feel the same way? It was a possibility,
and with the truth serum in play, she had every opportunity over the next hour
or two to find out.
Rhyme didn’t know what to expect when she
entered the kitchen, but it wasn’t the delicious sight that greeted her eyes. The
man was jaw-dropping sexy in his jeans and t-shirt that stretched tight over
his chest and biceps. He was already cooking some fresh biscuits, and frying
some spicy venison sausage. Her mouth watered, but she wasn’t sure if it was
the smell of the food or the sight of the man standing before her. Either way,
she was looking forward to finding out.
She stepped into the room with purpose,
and wiped the smudge of flour from his tan cheek. “You started without me.” A
small pout puckered her lips.
“I did.” He licked his own lips, and
grinned. “I was hoping to get more time with you so I figured I’d get everything
set up, and that way we could enjoy each other’s company longer.”
They were still standing inches from each
other, neither one wanting to be the first to sever the connection between
their eyes. “I didn’t know you cooked so proficiently.”
“My mother taught my brother and I to cook
when we were very young. She said it would impress the ladies.” He chuckled
shyly, looking down to his feet, and ran a hand over the nape of his neck.
Rhyme was sure if he looked up, he’d be
sporting a light blush. “It does.”
“Oh?” That got him to grace her with his gaze
again. His calloused hand caressed her cheek. “I’m glad you like.” His eyes
landed on her lips, and he licked his own. The intensity was hotter than the
stove behind them.
She liked Myles. He was tough, but there
was a gentle side to him that piqued her interest. It also helped that his
touch created sparks under her skin. Sexy, check. Able to defend his family,
check. Cooks, check. Physical attraction, check. He hit so many of the items on
her “want in a man” list. She knew he was a killer. She wasn’t naïve to believe
that he never had to kill someone during war time, but she needed to know if he
could kill in cold blood.
“I do.” Rhyme found herself enjoying the
awkward silence that stretched between them. The way he looked at her made her
confidence soar. Loaded with new-found emotions and esteem she asked, “Are you
going to kiss me?”
“I’d like to,” he answered truthfully.
She didn’t wait for him to make the move. Emboldened
by the intense heat that was circulating around them, she wrapped her hands
around his neck and kissed him. The heat ignited into a fire as he took the
invitation and deepened the kiss. He wrapped his strong arms around her waist,
and picked her up to make the contact easier. Their height difference was more noticeable
because she wasn’t wearing heels on this date. Rhyme had always liked taller,
larger men. They made her feel safer, more secure, and that was definitely something
she looked for in a husband.
A moan escaped as the kiss deepened, and
drew her into the magical intensity that was growing between them. An
electrical current passed between them everywhere his fingers touched her skin
deepening the intimate connection of their first kiss.
“Well, looks like I’m late to the party.”
River’s voice was like a pail of ice cold water dousing the flames that were
flickering around them. Getting caught by your older brother making out was
just as bad as being caught by your parents.
Rhyme covered her lips, and the smile that
played on them, as Myles turned around to stir the sausage that, from the smell
of it, was on the verge of scorching.
“I hope you all like biscuits and gravy.”
Myles tossed a look to River.
River nodded. “Sounds like a hearty meal.”
“What can I do to help?” Rhyme asked,
taking a steadying breath.
“Why don’t you put the biscuits on the pan
and we’ll get them in the oven.”
Rhyme did as she was told, and decided to
take advantage of the silence. “So, Myles, that was a wonderful ceremony for Jackson
yesterday.”
“It was. It’s heartbreaking to lose a wolf
in his prime like that.” He turned to drain the sausage grease.
“Did you know him well?” She placed the
pan in the pre-heated oven.
He nodded. “I did. We were in Iraq
together.” He started whisking the milk and flour. “He was there when my
brother died.”
Rhyme placed a comforting hand on Myles
shoulder and watched as he poured the white sauce over the cooked sausage.
“I read that you lost your brother over
there. I’m sorry.”
He turned sad, green eyes in her direction.
“It was a difficult time.”
Her eyes glanced at the hand she still had
on his arm, near the tattoo he got in the military. “I couldn’t imagine losing
one of my siblings. That must have been hard.”
“It was. Matthew will always have a place
in my heart, and so will Jackson. He helped me through that time. If it weren’t
for him, I might have lost it.” He turned off the burner under the thickened
gravy.
“So you didn’t believe he had something to
do with your brother’s death?” She tried to sound innocent with the question,
but the surprise in his response was clear in his voice.
Myles shook his head. “God no! He carried
my brother to the EMT unit. He gave me a chance to say goodbye. For that act
alone, I owed him my life.”
Rhyme’s heart ached for the pain she saw
on his face. She removed the gravy from
the burner, and wrapped him in a hug. The poor man was trying so hard to be resilient.
He embraced her back. “I’m so sorry.”
They held each other for a moment longer,
and then he pulled back. “Which is why we need to find Jackson’s killer.”
Rhyme nodded, and her body relaxed. Myles
wasn’t the murderer. She could enjoy the rest of their date. In fact, she was
liking the side of him that she got to see this morning. Vulnerable, yet
strong. It was adorable. His desire to seek justice for Jackson endeared him to
her. He was a hero in his own right, and that made him delectable. “We will,”
she promised. “But now, let’s eat. I’m starving.”
He pulled the biscuits out of the oven,
and helped her plate the meal. It was hard not to notice how he stood
protectively behind her, arms on either side, breath warm on her neck as he
directed her with all three plates. This man was yummy.
They sat down, and dug in. The biscuits
were light and flaky, the gravy, perfection, and the company was enchanting. He
said all the right things, cast the perfect seductive glances, and wove a spell
around her heart.
“I had a great time today.” He reached a
hand across the table to take hers.
“I did too.” She leaned forward. “When you
came to the compound, you sang a song.”
He looked down shyly. She really liked
that. He wanted to impress her. It meant he liked her. “Yes, too much, right?”
“No, it was really great. Do you play and
sing a lot?”
“I do, mostly in the privacy of my own
home, but I wanted to make an impression.”
“You made a great impression.”
“Would you like me to impress you again?”
It was Rhyme’s turn to blush. She would,
but the words didn’t come to her lips.
Before she could respond, he started
singing the male version of “Cowboy Take Me Away” made popular by the Dixie
Chicks. A few bars into the song, he was pulling her into an embrace, and
swaying his hips to the beat. The dance lasted while he sang the song. She
could imagine what life would be like with this man, and it was good. When he
finished singing, he touched his lips to hers, and they exploded into another
mind-blowing kiss.
River didn’t interrupt them this time.
Myles ended the kiss, and took a step back out of her arms. She missed feeling
them around her, but also stepped back. Technically, it was a first date, and
it was wonderful.
“Why are you interested in me?” She promised
herself she wouldn’t ask that question, not while any of them were on the truth
serum, but she couldn’t help it.
“You’re a smart choice for a wife. You
come from a good family. You offer stability.”
“Is that it?”
“You’re gorgeous.”
Part of her melted. She knew the idea of a
man falling head over heels for her was far-fetched, but a part of her, the
little girl that still wanted to believe in fairy tales, wished it was a
possibility. His reasons were legitimate for a first date, but the romantic in
her wanted more.
“Why are you interested in me?” he asked.
His question surprised her. “You’re
handsome, strong, and protective. I know, somehow, I know I’ll be safe with
you.”
He took her hand and kissed her knuckles.
“You will, Rhyme. I told you I owed Jackson my life. He died before I could
repay that debt, but I know he loved you. So that protection extends to you.”
“You don’t have to…”
His lips claimed hers again, and her knees
went weak. “I want to protect you, Rhyme. I never expected to have this kind of
attraction to you so quickly, but it is there, and I am enjoying it immensely.”
“Okay.” It was all she could say. Her mind
was spinning like she’d just spent an hour on the merry-go-round, and she
didn’t want to get off the ride.
“Sounds like a good start.”
“It really does,” she agreed.
He squeezed her hand, and then let it go.
“Thank you for a wonderful date. Shall I walk you back to your room?”
“No, I’ll take her from here, Myles,”
River interjected.
Something dangerous crossed behind Myles
green eyes for a moment, but it was gone almost as quickly, replaced with the
easy-going grin. “Okay, I look forward to our next date.” He left.
As always thank you for reading and have a wonderful day.
