Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 54

Nikolas and Dawn walked hand in hand along the shoreline. Glancing at her out of the corner of his eye, he saw a change. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something different about her. She seemed more at peace somehow. He wondered if she'd tell him willingly or if he'd have to resort to drastic measures.

''It's impolite to stare,'' Dawn said as she smiled at Nikolas.

''I wasn't staring,'' he denied with a straight face and teasing eyes.

''Hmm. Right.''

''Right,'' he agreed. He smiled at her and then turned his attention to the length of sand that was before them. He made mental notes with every step they took. Just as she said, her limp had disappeared, but the bruise remained. Against his wishes and her better judgment, she had rehearsal later that afternoon. He didn't want her to tire herself out before then.

Dawn glanced at Nikolas out of the corner of her eye as he remained quiet. His eyes were serene, and his body was relaxed, but she had feeling that something more was going on behind those beautiful brown eyes of his. Should she ask or should she wait? Maybe she should push him into the sand and land on top of him. Hmm...

Nikolas was laying flat on his back on the sand before he knew it. The jolt of being suddenly pushed onto the ground surprised him, but the warmth of Dawn's body on his thrilled him. His arms pulled her in closer to him and his lips parted under hers as she kissed him. Deeply, thoroughly, and lovingly. ''Mm...'' he moaned as she pulled away.

''Sorry about your fall. My hands slipped,'' she sighed as positioned herself so that most of her body touched his and her eyes could alternate between resting on his eyes and on his mouth.

''Your hands slipped and accidentally pushed me down? Is that it?'' Nikolas asked, running his hands up and down her back. Feeling her tremble beneath his touch brought images to his mind of what they could do later. Upstairs, behind closed doors.

''Precisely. My hands have a mind of their own. Similar to your hands,'' she said with her trademark teasing grin.

He smiled at her and whispered softly, ''I love you.''

''Really?''

''Yes, really!'' he said as he rolled her onto her back. He positioned himself between her legs as he rested himself on his elbows. He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her as deeply, thoroughly and lovingly as she had kissed him. He felt her hands move down his back and lower to press him closer against. Not wanting to start something he didn't want the entire world to see, he raised his head. ''Not so fast, Mrs. Cassadine.''

''Tease,'' Dawn muttered with a pout.

Nikolas laughed softly and rolled off her. Resting his back against the rocks, he pulled her onto his lap. Her head rested in the crook of his neck while her hand rested against his chest. He forced his hand to remain still on her thigh as he spoke. ''There's something different about you today. I noticed it at breakfast.''

''Oh, yeah?'' Dawn asked.

''Yeah. Care to share?''

''Maybe. Maybe not,'' she said with a chuckle. She refused to look at him, knowing that one look would cause her to spill it or double over in laughter. She preferred to let him ponder a little bit more.

''Maybe not? Hmm...maybe not,'' he repeated. His hand which had rested on her thigh found its way to her side. He gave her no warning as to his plan of attack. He tickled her.

Dawn shrieked with laughter. She squirmed and moved, but Nikolas held her firmly and carefully. When the tears began to fall down her cheek, she screamed, ''Uncle!''