accents . I like mixing the old with the new.” He gestured to the food facsimile. “So is the meal I suggested for you all right?”
“Yes, it sounds delicious.”
“Then type it in.”
“Al l together or each item separately?”
“Al l together.”
I tapped out my order , and within minutes my luxurious lunch appeared in the device.
He said, “I’m going to request a different selection so we can share.”
My heart dipped and dived . On my first date with Duncan, we’d shared our meals, even feeding each other sexy bites of food.
The warrior chose spinach salad, steak flambé with mashed potatoes, and chocolate cake.
We carried our meals into the dining room. A mahogany table was already set, which included tall, tapered candles and a bottle of wine.
“I did this before you arrived,” he said.
“Because you knew I was coming?”
“Yes.”
He scooted in my chair, then took his place next to me. It seemed odd that no one else was around—no household staff, no caretakers for an estate of this size—but I didn’t question him about it. Other people would have spoiled the ambience.
Once we were settled, he poured the wine. It was neither white nor red. It shimmered in various hues, like a rainbow that had been captured in a bottle.
I’d never consumed alcohol with Duncan before. But I’d had margaritas with Lori and had gotten tipsy from them.
The warrior gave me one of the glasses he’d filled, and I took a sip. The kaleidoscope wine tasted as heavenly as it looked, but I decided not to drink too much of it. I suspected that it was highly potent. Delicious things always were.
“ After we eat, we can go for a walk around the stables,” he said. “And I can show you my horses.”
“I’d like that.” I was curious to see the magnificent equines he’d talked about. “But you promised to help me with the magic I need, too.”
“Don’t worry . I haven’t forgotten why you’re here. We’ll get to that, as well.”
I was glad he was the warrior on this realm. He seemed capable of anything. With him at the helm, I wasn’t worried about breaking the curse.
“Do you want some of my food?” he asked, reminding me that we’d agreed to share.
Not that I was likely to forget . I smiled. “Your mashed potatoes look good.”
“Then have some.” He handed me his fork.
I handed him mine, too, so he could sample what was on my plate. For the rest of the meal, that was how we continued eating, exchanging silverware and putting our lips where the other’s had been.
Dessert was especially gratifying . I mixed my pie with his cake, savoring the treat.
Being here with him felt like a date. But he didn’t kiss me, like Duncan had done on our first date. Was he going to make his move later, while we were at the stables?
I swallowed the sweetness in my mouth, anxious to find out .
Chapter Nine
The stables were nearly as grand as the house, with the same style of architecture and pathways leading in different directions. I noticed indoor and outdoor amenities. Everywhere I looked, there was something to see.
A grouping of mares grazed in a pasture while their offspring romped and played. The mamas looked like regular horses, but their babies were the most beautiful animals I’d ever seen. Mostly they were black, but beneath their midnight sheen, jewel-toned colors flowed within their manes and tails.
“ Do they have hidden wings?” I asked.
“No, they don’t need wings to fly . They just jump and soar. But they don’t develop those skills until they’re older.”
We approached the fence and one of the babies walked toward us on its spindly legs. “Were all of these foals produced by the same stud?”
“Yes . My prized stallion.”
I reached ou t to pet the baby through the rails, and it nudged my hand, its manner soft and gentle. I liked that I was hallucinating something so nice. I liked everything about this realm, including the man who’d
“Yes, it sounds delicious.”
“Then type it in.”
“Al l together or each item separately?”
“Al l together.”
I tapped out my order , and within minutes my luxurious lunch appeared in the device.
He said, “I’m going to request a different selection so we can share.”
My heart dipped and dived . On my first date with Duncan, we’d shared our meals, even feeding each other sexy bites of food.
The warrior chose spinach salad, steak flambé with mashed potatoes, and chocolate cake.
We carried our meals into the dining room. A mahogany table was already set, which included tall, tapered candles and a bottle of wine.
“I did this before you arrived,” he said.
“Because you knew I was coming?”
“Yes.”
He scooted in my chair, then took his place next to me. It seemed odd that no one else was around—no household staff, no caretakers for an estate of this size—but I didn’t question him about it. Other people would have spoiled the ambience.
Once we were settled, he poured the wine. It was neither white nor red. It shimmered in various hues, like a rainbow that had been captured in a bottle.
I’d never consumed alcohol with Duncan before. But I’d had margaritas with Lori and had gotten tipsy from them.
The warrior gave me one of the glasses he’d filled, and I took a sip. The kaleidoscope wine tasted as heavenly as it looked, but I decided not to drink too much of it. I suspected that it was highly potent. Delicious things always were.
“ After we eat, we can go for a walk around the stables,” he said. “And I can show you my horses.”
“I’d like that.” I was curious to see the magnificent equines he’d talked about. “But you promised to help me with the magic I need, too.”
“Don’t worry . I haven’t forgotten why you’re here. We’ll get to that, as well.”
I was glad he was the warrior on this realm. He seemed capable of anything. With him at the helm, I wasn’t worried about breaking the curse.
“Do you want some of my food?” he asked, reminding me that we’d agreed to share.
Not that I was likely to forget . I smiled. “Your mashed potatoes look good.”
“Then have some.” He handed me his fork.
I handed him mine, too, so he could sample what was on my plate. For the rest of the meal, that was how we continued eating, exchanging silverware and putting our lips where the other’s had been.
Dessert was especially gratifying . I mixed my pie with his cake, savoring the treat.
Being here with him felt like a date. But he didn’t kiss me, like Duncan had done on our first date. Was he going to make his move later, while we were at the stables?
I swallowed the sweetness in my mouth, anxious to find out .
Chapter Nine
The stables were nearly as grand as the house, with the same style of architecture and pathways leading in different directions. I noticed indoor and outdoor amenities. Everywhere I looked, there was something to see.
A grouping of mares grazed in a pasture while their offspring romped and played. The mamas looked like regular horses, but their babies were the most beautiful animals I’d ever seen. Mostly they were black, but beneath their midnight sheen, jewel-toned colors flowed within their manes and tails.
“ Do they have hidden wings?” I asked.
“No, they don’t need wings to fly . They just jump and soar. But they don’t develop those skills until they’re older.”
We approached the fence and one of the babies walked toward us on its spindly legs. “Were all of these foals produced by the same stud?”
“Yes . My prized stallion.”
I reached ou t to pet the baby through the rails, and it nudged my hand, its manner soft and gentle. I liked that I was hallucinating something so nice. I liked everything about this realm, including the man who’d
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