the
man truly was.
When his full lips
parted, they displayed his perfect teeth, and offered her a brilliant smile.
The tiny cleft in his chin highlighted his strong jaw line. His dark hair was
long enough to display a natural wave, and it lay perfectly in place. His hair
alone would tempt any woman to run her fingers through it and draw his lips
down onto hers… Ugh, why does this guy have to be so good-looking? How am I
supposed to think straight? Reece thought as she tried to force herself to
quit gawking at the man. This was not like her, and she wasn’t about to act
like some foolish love-struck girl. Stay focused, s he demanded herself.
Levi looked down at
her with concern. “My apologies, Miss Bryant, I feel that all we have done in
the past few hours is force decisions on you. If you do not care to join me on
a walk, I will completely understand.”
Reece looked up
into his eyes and sighed, “Actually, I would really appreciate the walk.
Thanks.” And she took his arm.
Chapter
5
A s Levi led Reece out of the room, two men wearing cream and gold livery
opened the doors for them. Harrison and Navarre were still in conversation when
the doors closed behind Reece and Levi .
Levi led them back
down the staircase, remaining silent at her side. Reece was grateful; she was
in no frame of mind for conversation. When they reached the bottom of the
stairs, Levi led them to the back of the room, which displayed only substantial
French-style windows, and exhibited an expansive view of the outdoor gardens.
Two men stood at attention and immediately reached to pull the doors open for
them. Reece watched Levi as he politely nodded, thanking the men for their
service.
She turned her
attention to the steps that led down to the courtyard. At the bottom, a stone
path wandered past an enormous, three-tiered marble fountain. The outdoor
garden was decorated with statues, flowering bushes, and uniquely trimmed
greenery, which appeared to lead to a maze.
Levi led her past
the courtyard to a black iron gate. He unlatched it, and led her out and away
from the grounds of the Palace. They walked downhill until they came to a
swiftly flowing river, and turned to walk along it. It was the same river Reece
noticed on their ride in.
Reece broke the
silence. “This place is so beautiful, but I can hardly believe any of it is
real. I feel like I’m dreaming.” There was no waking explanation for the unique
beauty of this place, for how every color dazzled and glistened.
“Miss Bryant, I
can appreciate your lack of belief in everything you’ve experienced today. I
suppose, when you find you don’t wake up, you’ll have to acknowledge the
reality of Pemdas.” He led her toward a narrow stone bridge. A waterfall
thundered down from the hillside to their left. The pool of water below it was
crystal blue, and the spray from the splashing water sparkled like diamonds as
it reflected the sun’s light.
Where
did that waterfall come from? “I
feel like I’m lost in paradise,” said Reece. “As much as I want to believe this
day has been a dream, I don’t think my mind is capable of making up this
place.” She turned to Levi. “I’m having a hard time accepting that I’m here—and
then to be told I am some kind of a special person—it’s just too weird. How can
any of this be possible?”
Levi looked back at
her with concern. “We’re all aware of the distress we’ve caused you. We
couldn’t help it, but that doesn’t make it easier for you. Let’s sit, and I’ll
try my best to explain more.”
Once over the
bridge, Levi led Reece over to a mound of grass. He motioned for her to sit,
and he followed as well. They sat overlooking a large pool of clear water,
surrounded by ferns, and a forest of trees all around them.
Levi stared at the
pool. “To understand why you’re here, you must first be aware of who you are.”
He turned to her. “This will most likely be difficult for you to accept.”
He was right
man truly was.
When his full lips
parted, they displayed his perfect teeth, and offered her a brilliant smile.
The tiny cleft in his chin highlighted his strong jaw line. His dark hair was
long enough to display a natural wave, and it lay perfectly in place. His hair
alone would tempt any woman to run her fingers through it and draw his lips
down onto hers… Ugh, why does this guy have to be so good-looking? How am I
supposed to think straight? Reece thought as she tried to force herself to
quit gawking at the man. This was not like her, and she wasn’t about to act
like some foolish love-struck girl. Stay focused, s he demanded herself.
Levi looked down at
her with concern. “My apologies, Miss Bryant, I feel that all we have done in
the past few hours is force decisions on you. If you do not care to join me on
a walk, I will completely understand.”
Reece looked up
into his eyes and sighed, “Actually, I would really appreciate the walk.
Thanks.” And she took his arm.
Chapter
5
A s Levi led Reece out of the room, two men wearing cream and gold livery
opened the doors for them. Harrison and Navarre were still in conversation when
the doors closed behind Reece and Levi .
Levi led them back
down the staircase, remaining silent at her side. Reece was grateful; she was
in no frame of mind for conversation. When they reached the bottom of the
stairs, Levi led them to the back of the room, which displayed only substantial
French-style windows, and exhibited an expansive view of the outdoor gardens.
Two men stood at attention and immediately reached to pull the doors open for
them. Reece watched Levi as he politely nodded, thanking the men for their
service.
She turned her
attention to the steps that led down to the courtyard. At the bottom, a stone
path wandered past an enormous, three-tiered marble fountain. The outdoor
garden was decorated with statues, flowering bushes, and uniquely trimmed
greenery, which appeared to lead to a maze.
Levi led her past
the courtyard to a black iron gate. He unlatched it, and led her out and away
from the grounds of the Palace. They walked downhill until they came to a
swiftly flowing river, and turned to walk along it. It was the same river Reece
noticed on their ride in.
Reece broke the
silence. “This place is so beautiful, but I can hardly believe any of it is
real. I feel like I’m dreaming.” There was no waking explanation for the unique
beauty of this place, for how every color dazzled and glistened.
“Miss Bryant, I
can appreciate your lack of belief in everything you’ve experienced today. I
suppose, when you find you don’t wake up, you’ll have to acknowledge the
reality of Pemdas.” He led her toward a narrow stone bridge. A waterfall
thundered down from the hillside to their left. The pool of water below it was
crystal blue, and the spray from the splashing water sparkled like diamonds as
it reflected the sun’s light.
Where
did that waterfall come from? “I
feel like I’m lost in paradise,” said Reece. “As much as I want to believe this
day has been a dream, I don’t think my mind is capable of making up this
place.” She turned to Levi. “I’m having a hard time accepting that I’m here—and
then to be told I am some kind of a special person—it’s just too weird. How can
any of this be possible?”
Levi looked back at
her with concern. “We’re all aware of the distress we’ve caused you. We
couldn’t help it, but that doesn’t make it easier for you. Let’s sit, and I’ll
try my best to explain more.”
Once over the
bridge, Levi led Reece over to a mound of grass. He motioned for her to sit,
and he followed as well. They sat overlooking a large pool of clear water,
surrounded by ferns, and a forest of trees all around them.
Levi stared at the
pool. “To understand why you’re here, you must first be aware of who you are.”
He turned to her. “This will most likely be difficult for you to accept.”
He was right
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