Welcome to the Cassadines: Book II of Kismet

Chapter Sixteen

***innocence lost***

Zander's request played repeatedly inside Zarek's mind. He understood his cousin's reasons. He understood them all too well. The Cassadine shadow was a cold place to be. Lonely and dark. The glass shield of birthright an impossible barrier to break down. Not with all the traditions firmly in place. The first son of the first son and all that rubbish. Blood simply wasn't enough.

Zarek muttered an expletive and released another string of curses in several languages: Russian, Greek, Italian, Swedish and finally ending in English. Of course, that was the moment his wife returned home from work.

Dara's eyes widened and then a worried frown marred her perfectly smooth forehead. She lowered her briefcase to the floor, closed the door and stared back at him. "What happened?"

Oh, God. Her immediate reaction was that something dreadful transpired. Zarek sucked in air and shook his head. Marrying her had been selfish, and now, thoughts of horrid deeds caused her worry. If only she knew what he was truly capable of. She would run far and fast, and he'd have no right to blame her.

"Zarek?"

Her quietly firm voice broke him from his reverie of past misdeeds. Zarek forced himself back to the present. Back to the beautiful, intelligent, vivacious woman he loved and smiled. "All is as well as can be expected."

She came to him. Leaving her work behind, she floated across the room to hold him. Zarek knew he didn't deserve her. Would never measure up to be the man a righteous woman like her deserved. But he also knew that he would do everything within his power to try.

"Are you sure?" she asked, slowly bringing an end to their embrace. Her arms closed loosely around his waist. She leaned back slightly to gaze at him. "You've never been that vocal before."

His earlier frustration faded. Dara's signature floral scent filled his nostrils. Her soft, full curves molded against him. Sparks of awareness charged the air. Blood rushed to one strategic part of his body. "I've been vocal," he murmured, branding her with a sensual smile.

Dara responded. The pulse at her throat pounded quickly enough that Zarek could calculate her heart rate. His hands slid from her waist to cup her behind. He pulled her against him and she melted to him without protest.

"I wasn't referring to those intimate moments between a husband and a wife."

"I am."

She placed a hand on his chest, restraining him but just barely. "You were upset. Tell me why."

He shook his head, straining to keep the dark thoughts at bay. "It's not important."

"I disagree."

He bent forward and brushed his mouth across her brow. "I know," he whispered. "I'm a changing man who needs time to sort things out. Give me time, Dara."

"I'll give you whatever you want."

Relief swept through him. Offering her a wicked smile, he asked, "Can you guess what I want right now?"

Her hand against his chest relaxed. Her other hand squeezed a buttock. "I'm a smart woman. I know what you want, and what I want to know is why it's taking you so long to get it."

Her challenge wasn't one he could ignore. Zarek tore off his shirt, placed it on the carpet where they promptly saw to the business of making love.

+*+

Leslie Lu introduced Andrèsj to Lucky's old treehouse in the backyard. The royal heir handled the climb with his usual gracefulness and Lu couldn't help but be awed. Drè was unlike any of the guys their age. Cultured and manly, he was the ideal perfect gentleman. No goofing off or making crude jokes or noises. He always made her feel special and treated her like a lady. In the back of her mind, she knew he would be the example she'd compare all other men to.