Chapter 15: A Feast Of Temptation

[Dove]
My mind went frantic.

I wasn’t ready to tell Cole. Make up something, Dove! I screamed internally.

I said with a dismissive tone, “It was just a pot. I didn’t notice it was hot and carried it.”

As I wiggled my fingers, the redness dissolved. My hand was normal again. I frowned - the healing took longer than usual. Could it be that strange smell from the candle fragment? I thought.

More questions sprang. How did silver get on that candle? What happened in that cave?

Someone shook my shoulders and the kitchen returned to my view. Two large hands were on my shoulders and I was looking into Cole’s blue eyes. He was crouching in front of me, deeply rattled.

“Damn it, Dove, can you hear me? What the hell’s wrong with you?”

I blinked a few times, flashed an assuring smile and said, “Sorry. I was just thinking,”

He straightened with a frown then crossed his thick arms across his chest, and I suddenly recalled the feel of those arms around my waist, his hard warm chest against mine.

Instantly, my cheeks flamed up. I looked away and heard a throat cleared.

Too embarrassed to meet his gaze, I focused on my dress until his finger came under my chin and lifted it, forcing our eyes to meet.

“Are you really okay?” His soft eyes asked.

I nodded slowly.

"Then, don't look at me like that," his voice dropped into a coarse whisper.

I swallowed. My voice came out in a feathery sigh, "Like how?"

"Like you want me to kiss you," he muttered. His gaze intensified with a darker shade of blue.

A thumb glided across my lower lip. I quivered at the feel of its ruggedness and closed my eyes, embracing his incoming touch.

Then, nothing. I heard a sigh. My eyes opened to the giant's back view and then he was gone.

I stared at the empty doorway until Claire appeared, carrying a large sack on her back. She paused at me.

I smiled, shook my head and returned to the cup of tea.


******


[Cole]

Once out of sight, Cole came to halt. He squeezed his eyes tight with both hands in angry fists and growled silently.

Damn it, Cole, he cursed mentally, why can’t you just stay away?

When he opened his eyes again, Jude was walking towards him. He gave a warning glare at the Beta's smirk.

“All the guards are at their posts,” Jude said, maintaining his grin. “We’ll just make one more round during the feast.”

Cole nodded and then continued past him.

“Where are you going?” Jude chuckled.

Without looking back at the mansion, Cole snarled, “The waterfall.” He shifted into wolf form and dashed off.


******

When Cole returned, the village square was completely sheltered with a white tent and walled with white curtain. He smiled at the majestic sight and Dove came into his mind.

He frowned. Don’t go in there, his mind warned. He turned his body around.

But his heart covered his view with a vision of Dove smiling from cheek to cheek - her flowy silver hair, soft pink cheeks and lips of red rose.

He blocked them out by shutting his eyes.

Then, soft soothing music lured his ears. Dove is inside, his heart whispered.

He opened his eyes again and turned back to the white tent. With a heave of his shoulders heaved and a heavy exhale, his feet moved towards it.

A warm atmosphere of delicious aromas, celebratory clinking and happy chatter welcomed him. On his left - the long wooden table was brightened with freshly picked blue morning glories and crowded to its edge with plates and plates of steaming food.

As he greeted the ecstatic villagers, Cole caught a whiff of sweet orange and salty sea breeze. His eyes wandered, searching for her. She was near the music band. Her hair had pulled up into a graceful bun and she was still in the same white dress.

Cole felt his heart thumping hard. Darn that dress, he cursed.

His mind had gone blank when Dove was reported unwell, as if life was draining from her. He had rushed back to the mansion.

His wife was in the most provocative posture - her slender leg perched at the table edge with a white dress draping carefree from her waist like a waterfall, exposing her entire thigh.

It took a colossal effort to suppress the burst of desire in his chest; Cole thought he’d died from asphyxiation.

Now, looking at the teasing dress, playing with the soft breeze and showing off her curves, Cole remembered the sight of Dove’s velvety fair skin and how much he had wanted those slender thighs around him when he…

Owin appeared before Dove, a mug of ale in his hand, and started talking to her. Cole watched on with discomfort as they exchanged smiles and laughs. He let out an annoyed sigh and walked over.


******


[Dove]

“Yes, you have been away for quite long,” I smiled and sipped from my glass. Then, I casually asked, “How are things on the outside?” I hoped there might be some news about my father.

"Good. It's quiet," Owin added with a frown, "in fact, it was too quiet. I need to tell Cole."

I nodded as a huge arm went around my shoulder and a familiar scent surrounded me. Owin brightened up instantly.

"Cole!"

Turning to my left, Cole’s tensed jaw was in my face as his voice boomed over me, "Hey Owin, Connie was looking for you."

Owin sneaked a burp and immediately wrinkled his brows. "Connie?"

I scrunched up my nose and asked, "why would Connie want to see Owin?"

Cole replied coolly, "she didn’t say."

Owin nodded knowingly and replied, "I'll look for her. But, Cole, we need to talk. Tomorrow, alright?" With a sunny grin, he left.

I turned to Cole, wide-eyed. "Connie told me she’s going to bed early, Cole. Did you make a mistake?"

Cole shrugged and looked down at me with a proud smile. He took my hand and said, "let's go."

"Where to?"

In silence, Cole pulled me to the dance floor and I followed him with a racing heart to an empty spot. He placed my hands on his shoulders. I felt his warmth radiating into my palms and sighed with a smile.

His hands rested on my hips and we began to sway to the slow and soothing melody.

“Thank you for planning this,” he said gently as he looked over my head.

“You’re welcome,” I grinned at his chest and slid a hand over it. His heart was beating softly beneath my fingers.

I heard a grunt and lifted my gaze at his chin.

“Did I step on your foot?”

He chuckled, “no. Even if you did, I won’t feel a thing.”

“Show-off,” I muttered and he laughed.

Casting a suspicious glance at him, I asked, “did Connie really ask for Owin?”

He ignored me and pretended to survey the area. When he looked down again, he had a proud grin.

Was he jealous of Owin? I wondered when he pulled me closer, lifting my body forward so that my feet stood onto his. My arms naturally went around his neck as his arms went around my waist to support me. Our faces came closer.

As we danced, I looked into his deep blue eyes as he bore into mine. With a smile, he tightened his hold around me and pressed our bodies together. I snuggled against him, resting my chin on his shoulder so my lips almost touched his ear.

I closed my eyes, savoring the blissful moment. Something came over me - I felt like I never wanted this moment to end. I whispered in his ear, "you have a nice scent, Cole”

His body stiffened. He pulled me in front of him and stared at me in bewilderment. I couldn’t comprehend his look.

But before I could ask my question, he had shot out of the dance floor.