A ncient Rome was a melting pot of faiths, each with their own vision of heaven .

I've known every one of them in the space of three minutes. Cade's mouth carries me to places I've never studied, much less imagined, and I'm a hot mess by the end of it .

Sex hair, chewed lips, legs that only stop shaking because they're secure in his strong, steady hands. I'm afraid to look directly into his eyes for the first few seconds after returning to earth .

No regrets. No worries. No fears .

Please .

My prayers are answered. Whatever stupid fears I had about my first time, they're gone the second I open my eyes. The same gorgeous, kind man who tore my happy place from the sky and put it in my hands is still there .

His blue eyes are a moonlit ocean. Softer, brighter, vaster than I can understand. They remind me a wicked ache remains between my legs, and offer the only cure .

“Now,” I whisper, running my fingers down the buttons on his shirt. They're half-undone from our earlier frenzy .

He's so calm, so collected, I hate it. “Cade,” I whine his name, smoothing my feet up his legs, begging him to pull those pants off and fill me .

He hovers over me, held up by fists. His lips come at mine, hungrier than before, surer they'll find their relief inside me. If only he didn't make me wait, didn't make me beg with my hips pressed so sweetly into his, practically dry humping the bulge in his pants .

“Skittle...have you lost your fucking mind?” he growls, palming my cheek, running his thumb over the soft space below my eye. “What's gotten into you ?”

“You, not being in me, as a matter of fact. Please, Cade. I need you .”

“You need to stop tasting so good, love,” he says, his tongue flicking over the lips that sent me to paradise just minutes ago. “Stop distracting me. Then maybe I'll let this cock out and fuck you how I always imagined, every damn inch ruining that honeysuckle pussy for anybody else .”

“God – please!” I don't recognize my own voice. It's too harsh, too distant, too desperate to impale myself on this man's wilds .

I'm so deep in the zone I don't realize he's moving until he's shirtless. Then my fingers are on him like lightning, clutching at muscles bound in dark inks, pulling myself up on his body, coiling my tongue with his .

Even in his rough, hard body, he's thoroughly Icelandic. The tapestry on his skin is a beautiful chaos. Volcanic fire and shattered glaciers curling up his arms, grounded by the black sun on his chest. Its majesty deepens my trance .

His kiss is an addiction. It's gravity, warmth, rocket fuel. Lust boils over when I hear his belt buckle knocking around. Another blink of my burning eyes and his pants are gone. He smiles, folding his swollen cock against my belly, revealing his fullness .

I gasp. I sputter. I can't believe what he's about to put inside me .

“Any last words, Skittle? As a virgin, I mean.” His voice smolders in my ear, deep and dark and dangerously fuckable .

If my pussy gets any wetter ...

I close my eyes, pressing my forehead to his. I lick my lips, nodding slightly, fingers sliding down his raging biceps. “Cade, I'm ready .”

It's everything he's waited to hear. He kisses me one more time, then dives to the side. I hear him rummaging for something, and realize what it is when he comes back from his suitcase a second later, a foil packet clenched between his fingers .

He holds it to my face, blue eyes drifting fires, growling the next words. “Tear it open, and roll it the fuck on me .”

He leans, giving me space. I take the condom's packet in my teeth and pull, fingering its spongy contents. My flush burns hotter on my cheeks. A second later, I'm paralyzed. He grips my hand and smiles, bringing it lower, between his legs, clenching the rubber .

“Pay attention, sweetness. We'll be doing a lot more of this,” he whispers, placing the condom over the tip of his cock. His fist closes around mine .

The first time I touch him there, he's pulling my hand down, sheathing himself in the only barrier that's going to be between us when we're in the throes of it .

His cock jerks in my hand. He's bigger than ever when he swells, just sheer muscle sent to rend me in two. It takes both of us squeezing to tame it .

Mercy .

My heart flutters. We lock eyes, and I lose myself in those blues one more time, knowing there's nothing left to hold him back .

He sinks lower again, eclipsing my small body. Cade's huge, muscular perfection surrounds me. His fingers sink through my hair, fisting locks behind my head, reminding me who has total control .

The time for words is over. I raise my hips, dig my teeth into my bottom lip, and then surrender when he buries me in a newer, harder kiss .

It's the prelude to his hips joining mine a second later .

There's a screaming heat, an exquisite friction, a faint tearing as my virgin silk engulfs his fullness. And he's far from done .

Deeper, deeper, deeper. His thrust lifts my body. He's in to the hilt and he holds it in my quivering mess. Every muscle below my waist goes tense and hot, soaked in want, instinct unbearably awakened .

“Cade!” I whimper his name. He rocks back, lifting himself slowly, only to crash forward again, this time faster and harder .

My gasp becomes a moan in his mouth .

It's fire, it's bliss, and yes, it even hurts a little .

But it's the kind of pain that promises goodness. So much fucking good .

It's our essence since we met, our apotheosis. My flesh surrendering in delicate, slick submission, and his raging in full masculine offering .

How could I do anything except fuck him back ?

I'm grinding my hips, lifting my ass off the bed, tossing myself against him with a vigor I'm sure surprises us both. He thrusts harder. It's chaotic and sloppy at first, a sexy mess for the girl who's never had it, and never thought she'd be getting it from a Nordic giant who shoved his ring on her finger without really meaning it .

Oh, but does it matter when his hips collide, and I'm so, so full of him ?

Does it make my tongue against his any weaker, or lighten the urge to push my nails into his skin, holding on for dear life as he picks up speed? As he seizes my virgin pussy, rough as my hair in his hand, pulling and thrusting, grunting and cursing when he isn't just growling my name, a feral plea for ownership caught between his teeth ?

“I'm a fucking goner, Skye. You're tight...wet...hot...perfect. Perfect. Stick a damn fork in me, and you, too. We're done. You're so, so, so fucking mine .”

And I am .

Our sex is a breathless dance. Flesh and sweat and primal fire. It's smoke in every nerve and raw honey at the tip of my tongue, even when it slides against his, the sweetness spreading down my throat and into my body, where it mingles with inferno .

“Holy, holy hell,” I whimper, baring my teeth as his speed quickens .

I won't last much longer. That shouldn't be shameful for a woman, but I'm honestly a little embarrassed how quick I'm ready to come on his thrusting, frantic cock .

Not that Cade minds .

The change in my pulse, my breath, my hips crashing into his only spurs him to wilder heights .

Muscles I didn't know I had tense in my belly, focused around the fireball he fucks bigger every time his length curls against my flesh .

His delicious, intoxicating friction is officially too much. I'm seriously going to –

“Come for me, Skittle – come fucking hard ! ”

He steals the words from my body. We're a shaking tangle of limbs as I hit meltdown, pressing my chin into his shoulder. I bite him when I come because I'll break if I don't .

Orgasm hits me like an uppercut. Everything becomes a blur of black fire, smoking ice, and breath torn from my lungs, transmuted into ecstasy .

My own heartbeat becomes a roar. Somewhere behind it, his voice, still urging me on .

I'm coming my soul out. I don't think I could give it any harder if my life depended on it .

Still, Mr. Relentless wants more. He forces it out of me with harder, longer strokes between my legs, his ass clenching like a bull in rut every time he slams into me .

“Come, Skittle. Come! ” His sandpaper voice slays what's left of my sanity .

My body hits overdrive and senses go numb. The bed, the room, the Icelandic beauty around us vanishes in a veil of white stars clouding my vision .

It's him, it's me, and this rippling fire that sweeps me up and won't let go until I'm good and ready .

I come for him, all right. I come sweating, pulsing, silently screaming, clutching him with every limb. I come his name raw on my tongue, and come his heat on my throbbing clit. I come in facets of my soul I don't even want to explore, and then come again in every nerve lashed with fire .

Drunk. Depraved. Bound .

Just when I think I'm spent, and the vicious spasms ripping through me are finally through, the roar bursting out of his throat overwhelms everything .

“Wait, Skittle, wait. Don't you fucking stop. I'm coming, too – coming up in you !”

God. The animal edge in his words is enough to forget there's still a condom between us, but hell, I swear I feel the heat .

It's like my body knows when it feels him swell. That beautiful, maddening fullness deep inside me gets so much fuller, and then he's shaking us so hard I think we'll break the bed, growling as our pleasure rends the atmosphere .

Now, my stars, my heat, my sheet-clawing O are his .

They're the same wicked whirlwind possessing me when his thrusts lift me off the bed, when his fingers tear at my hair, when he groans in my face and rests his forehead on mine, his balls still twitching against my ass, pouring everything quintessentially Cade into me .

It's melting point, and so much more .

“Jesus. I never came like that, Skye. Never in my life,” he rumbles, a spark in his eyes wanting to hide the truth in his words as soon as he recovers more of his senses. “What the fuck are you doing to me ?”

His question is heavier than the weight of the world .

I don't know. I don't know how. I don't dare to ask why .

He stays rooted in me so long I can't tell where we begin or end. My fingers roam the nape of his neck, gentler than before. I'm still in the place where words are pale shadows, too dim and weak to speak clearer than our trembling, short-circuited flesh .

Even when he pulls out of me after an eternity, parts with one more kiss, and plods away into the bathroom with the tied off condom in his fingers, there's no return .

There's no coming back from wherever we are now, wherever and whatever here is .

We're not in Kansas anymore. Not even Reykjavik, or Seattle, or anywhere I've ever known .

When he returns, crashing into bed next to me, pulling me into his arms, I'm still as lost as ever, but I can't stop smiling .

However long we're in this strange, strange land, I'm safe. I'm happy. I'm whole .

I'm just afraid I'll never want to leave .

* * *

“D amn it, just listen to me. Vinnie, I'm not screwing around. If he calls, if he texts, if he leaves you a voicemail or a note by pigeon...you tell me, okay ?”

There's nothing like trying to knock some sense into your little brother to make the ground beneath your feet feel real again. Vinnie sniffs, pushes his glasses up on his nose, refusing to make eye contact .

“Jeez, okay. I really don't see what the big deal is. Uncle Harry's the bad guy now? The man who kept us afloat before you got engaged to Mr. Moneybags? Are you even gonna tell me why ?”

I'm scowling. No, I don't want to feed him more than I have to. And not just because I wish he'd just shut up and listen, for once .

He's insulted the man who just rocked my world. “Don't talk about Cade like he's just a giant meal ticket.” I'm wagging my finger. “You're having fun here, aren't you ?”

He nods. “Well, yeah. Of course. That butler guy's taking me out mountain climbing today. Just little hills, very safe, so don't worry. It's cool and all, but I'd love to know when we're heading home .”

“Just a few more days, probably.” I'm not interested in admitting I haven't got a clue. “Look, he's going to be your brother-in-law. I'm not asking you to fall all over yourself thanking him for this trip, but show some respect. Understand he's a good man. I wouldn't be marrying him if he weren't .”

Except my knight in shining armor is a farce .

It's getting to me, isn't it? I shouldn't sound so defensive, so rustled over Vinnie's dumb comments .

But I do. Here I am, standing with my arms crossed, staring him down and trying to pretend there's not a constant stream of lies dripping off my tongue .

“As for Harry, just trust me. Whatever he did in the past, it doesn't matter. We're not talking to him for a good long while.” I don't have the heart to say forever, even though that's exactly what I'm planning. I'll figure out how best to break that news when we're home, without Turnbladt family intrigue hanging over my head .

Vinnie still looks unconvinced. He doesn't say anything, but turns back to his phone, screwing around with a Snap from one of his friends .

“Vinnie, look at me.” I point two fingers at my eyeballs, and then at him again. “I'm serious. Any contact with Harry, you come to me .”

“Whatever. Got it.” He sighs, looking over his screen .

I'm secretly hoping someday we'll have a normal relationship, without grating on every nerve. I love the kid, sure, but his fifteen year old attitude and my stress levels don't mix. “Anything else, sis? Should I plan on entertaining myself this evening, too, while you wine and dine with those old farts again ?”

“Stefan and Katrin are perfectly nice people, Vinnie. Be nice to my in-laws. I'd really appreciate it if you'd show them some decency .”

“I'm not pants-on-head stupid. God, Skye,” he says finally, throwing his phone on the table next to him. “I'm a big boy. It's not like I'm gonna go talking crap to their faces. I thought we were cool and could keep things just between you and me .”

“Well, just between you and me,” I pause, wagging my finger, scolding him. I'm officially worse than our mother. “I'd love for you to enjoy your time here without the constant whining. Cade said you're welcome to have his guy bring you anywhere in the city after you're done climbing for that gym credit today. Oh, and I'd like to look over your paper tomorrow, assuming it's in my inbox like you said .”

He twists his lips, silent as ever. I've given him all the leeway he's getting with the essay. I'm ready to see proof he's been doing his work, rather than just screwing off the whole time .

I close the door to his room without a goodbye .

Perfect timing. He doesn't see my heart racing when my phone pings, and I read the new text waiting .

C ade: Need you back as soon as you're able. We're doing dinner with Jonas tonight .

C rap. This just got a whole new kind of serious .

* * *

B rand new royal blue evening dress that could put a princess to shame? Check .

Gold rune pendant for courage? Check

Navy blue heels a little taller than I'm used to, secretly picked to drive him wild later? Check .

I'm as ready as I'll ever be for the main reason we ever kicked off this fake fiancé thing .

We're early to the same private room where we dined with his parents the other night at Reykjavik's finest French fusion place. I sit quietly while he makes small talk with Stefan, something about the firm's investments in exotic crypto-currencies .

The staff serves our second glasses of wine before I see them. Cade's fingers tense on mine under the table, and there's a twitch in his face like he's ready to murder .

Jonas Turnbladt is just how I imagined. Full goatee, light blond hair too long and too greasy for the polite society I've been immersed in since arriving. He's stuffed into a suit a full size too small. Probably because he hasn't bothered updating his wardrobe since adolescence .

Give him the benefit of the doubt, I tell myself. I really want to, even when he sits across from us wearing an ugly smirk, the skinny and very pregnant French chick at his side looking through us like ghosts .

“There they are! Jonas, Giselle, how are the happy couple?” Stefan booms, grinning ear-to-ear. He's looking at Cade, warning him with his eyes. Behave .

“Starving. She has to eat every two hours, and I'm just goddamned ravenous after the drive. Where's the menu?” Jonas' voice is sharp and nasally. I've been around enough to know I'm not confusing jackass with foreign accent .

He looks past Stefan, declining Katrin's airy smile, pulling the menu from his wife's hands. She gives him a dirty look. It's like we don't exist .

Then Cade clears his throat. “I'll let you guys get settled. Then I want to hear all about the honeymoon .”

My hand pinches his until he lets go. Good God. So, we're doing this, starting right off with a challenge .

Jonas mutters an order for soup to the waiter patiently standing by before he looks our way. “Sure, sure. I'll get on that. A man who's just gotten engaged needs plenty of advice before the big day, after all .”

They're locked in a death stare, a not-so-subtle dick waving contest I'm worried even Katrin won't diffuse when she chirps across the table. “Isn't this lovely? They're so good together, these two, and it's coming together like lightning. At the rate we're going, I'll barely get to share a few laughs with my daughter-in-law before the grandkids .”

Cade's eyes go big on his next sip of scotch. I hear him swallow. I blush, eyes drifting to Giselle's baby bump, who smiles at me knowingly .

“Oh, no, in case there's any misunderstanding, I'm not –“

“Pregnant? Such a shame. Looks like you're made for it.” Jonas winks like the pig he is before he reaches for his wine, downing it in one pour. Then he glares at Cade's scotch. “Like water. I want one of those. Say, while we're talking family, I've heard the changes to inheritance laws lately are rather interesting. They're overhauling everything right now .”

“Everything?” Katrin echoes the fateful word. Stefan and Cade both look like they're ready to have a stroke .

“I'm clueless when it comes to that legal stuff.” I roll my eyes, smiling at Katrin, trying to stop the nuclear warhead Jonas clearly wants to detonate at the table .

“Ja, well, so was I before I got my man on it. He's a very good contract lawyer. One of the best in the country, in fact, and he's reviewing what happens with my royalties to make sure the kid is covered when Giselle is due. He's also looking at a few other family properties in the meantime, just to make sure our little nugget is set for life if anything tragic happens. One never knows .”

His eyes are on Cade now, who takes a long pull of scotch, holding his gaze. “Smart. I've seen life get rough for plenty of people like my high school buddy. A bully and an underhanded city councilman screwed him over for years. Tragedy, really. It's true what you say – you never, ever know .”

The waiters bring our soups, salads, and a scrumptious looking caviar hors d'oeuvre platter, but nobody lifts a fork. The tension is thick, ruining every appetite except Katrin's, who digs into her ancient grains, blissfully ignorant .

“So, when are you due?” I look at Giselle. One last attempt at stopping the knives Jonas and Cade look like they're ready to pull .

She smiles numbly, and then taps Jonas on the shoulder, muttering a few words in French. The jerkoff rock star poser looks at me, smiling. Several gold teeth glitter in his mouth. “She doesn't understand a word of English, I'm afraid. You'll have to speak French, or leave the chit-chat for the folks here who can actually understand each other. So, Cade –“

“Christ, this scotch.” He coughs, pushing his chair backward in an explosive jerk. Then he's up, throwing his napkin onto the table .

“Cade?” Stefan is petrified, his son's name a hoarse whisper .

“Sorry, dad. I need to use the restroom. Clear my throat. It's too much, or too strong, perhaps. I'm feeling...off, all of a sudden. Jonas, if you wouldn't mind giving me a hand. I'm worried about my balance.” He rocks on his heels, clearly exaggerating .

I stand, leaning into him, eyes searching his as he ignores me .

Don't go. I squeeze his hand, warning him to re-think what he's about to do without using words .

But two seconds later, he's gone. Both of them .

I try to make small talk with a worried Stefan, listening to Katrin's messy French conversation with Giselle in the background. I make it five minutes before I excuse myself, and tip-toe down the hall to find out what the hell he's gotten himself into .

* * *

“M otherfucker, do you understand what's at stake, or are you just stupid? Her place could house a billion dollar amusement park and resort. Billion, with a B, in your USD funny money. I'm willing to negotiate, if you're smart enough not to stand in my way.” Jonas is seething .

I'm listening to them near the restrooms, flattened against the wall, hand against my chest. I can't stop my heart when it's racing a hundred beats per minute, one for every nasty word between them .

“Tough shit, cuz. I'm not interested. A few million extra every year in royalties won't sweeten anything on my end, especially if it makes mother miserable. This is her place. Always has been since she was a little girl. It's her peace of mind. I have a real career, and I know how to handle money. There's nothing for us to work out because it's not about me.” Cade pauses, and I'm expecting the next sound to be his cousin's fist plowing into his face .

He leans in closer to Jonas before he continues. “Listen, if you want us wasting a lot of time and money getting lawyers involved, figuring out who's entitled to what when we're both married, be my guest. I dug up the old trust before I flew out here, and it's pretty clear. I think you know that. We're just playing games .”

“Oh? And which translation did you read, Cade? Do you have any damn clue how much is lost when you can't understand the language it's written in?” His speech quickens, and then comes to a halt. Then he explodes. “Bastard idiot! You want to fight me on this – and for what? A five hundred year old tea house for an old woman who won't be around in ten years to enjoy it? You're stupid and selfish, Cade .”

“No. Just sentimental. The castle is seven hundred years old. Get it right. Also, get ready, because I'll take off my jacket and beat your ass blind if you say a fucking thing about mom again .”

I'm wincing. I don't want them to hurt each other, but God, I can't even blame him if he throws the first punch .

A rich, plump woman saunters past me, humming to herself. Mercifully oblivious to the furious chaos unfolding just a few feet away. I use the commotion when they swallow their words to peak around the corner, hoping they won't notice .

It's worse than I thought .

Jonas looks like a puffed up alley cat, his dirty blond hair flat against his shoulders, left fist twitching at his side. Cade is a rock. He owns the space in all his Viking glory, scary calm and quiet. He'll knock Jonas out cold if it comes to it, and the consequences? Shit .

“You're so defensive. Pathetic. I've heard about your mother's health. Shame, really. Seems if you were really a good son with his mother's health in mind, you'd help rid her of needless burdens. What good is a medieval ruin if it just gives the poor woman a heart attack? Listen to reason: relieve her .”

“Careful, asshole, or I'm relieving you in about ten seconds. You're not getting the castle .”

“Okay,” Jonas sneers. “Have it your way, cousin. We'll find out who's right very fucking soon .”

He starts walking. I run across the hall, trying to hide behind a birch plant, hoping he won't see me eavesdropping. But before he crosses to the spot where I'm standing, he turns, and pivots so sharply I hear his shoes squeal on the tile .

“Stop being such a monumental dumbass. Don't chase me down and break my nose. I know you're tempted.” He isn't wrong. Cade's eyes confirm everything, twin blue fires searching for their excuse to burn him down. “It's over, Cade. We'll end it like men in court .”

“You won't end shit,” he growls, pacing closer, a glint in his eyes like he still wants to knock his cousin to the floor. “I'm not blind, Jonas. You won't let this go and you won't fight fair. I can't pretend it's through .”

“No, but you will tonight. Make it a fight, hit me, and I'll run up to Katrin asking for tissues, bleeding through my fingers. I'll tell her how you smashed my fucking face in because you're such a spoiled brat, you can't let go of what's rightfully mine. She'll find out she's losing her place the hard way, and all because her loving son couldn't settle down long enough to make a deal. And as for your lovely fiancée, well...I'm sure she's just after your money. She doesn't need a brute with a criminal assault on his record mucking up her wedding plans, does she? Unless it isn't old fashioned gold digging that's got you two kids together...and there's something else I should know about?” He pauses, waving his hand absently. “No matter. I'll find out very soon .”

Oh, God. Surely, he couldn't have seen through our act? He can't possibly know it's a marriage of convenience...right ?

Cade's eyes are wider than mine. “What the hell do you mean? Asshole, get back here!” He's yelling down the hall, but his cousin doesn't stop and turn, determined to leave .

I hold my breath as Jonas' heavy footsteps hit the tile again, each echo fainter as he heads for the dining room .

Cade takes off like a lion. I'm barely able to get in front of him before he bowls me over .

“Skittle? What're you –“

“Don't do it,” I whisper, pushing my hands against his chest. It's like holding back a semi truck. Desperate heat braises my cheeks. “Cade, you heard him. I know it's hard not to go after that little shit after the things he said, but if you...he could ruin everything. Don't be cray. Walk away. Fight another day. It's not too late to fix this .”

Listen to me. Please .

“Shit. Whatever. Maybe you're right.” He pulls me into his embrace and collapses against the wall, anger still coursing through his huge chest. “No good will come from breaking his jaw tonight, as much as I'd enjoy it, and I'm not a violent man .”

“No, you're only human. Patience. We'll get him another day, I just know –“

“We? No, Skye, this is my problem. Your job is to smile, look pretty, and give me the nails to hammer his coffin shut legally. I won't have you getting mixed up in anything else, you hear?” His gaze says it all: you'd fucking better .

My dark, seething guardian angel. He's ten times more handsome when he's mad, as screwed up as that is .

Maybe it's because he's being honest. A guilty pang shoots through my heart when I remember how I'm keeping him completely in the dark about Harry and my debt .

I'm not a good person. I'm a lying, cowardly tool, if I'm honest, and I don't even know who I'm working for anymore .

Cade leans in for a kiss. After last night, I love those lips more than I ever fathomed, but they're also the world's softest curse .

He wants me to put some serious distance between the family drama? Fine .

I just hope I'm able to give him the same courtesy, and live to see him bury that greasy haired twit .

* * *

“G oodnight, dad. We're probably heading out in the next couple days. It was good to see you tonight...and Jonas, too.” Cade says his cousin's name like a curse, barely softening it for his mother's benefit .

We're standing outside the restaurant in the chilly night, waiting for our cars. The asshole and his mysterious wife took off before dessert. I was glad to see their spots abandoned when we made our way to the table .

Stefan embraces his son, planting a kiss on his cheek. I'm just near enough to make out the words. “Tell me everything later. I hope to God there's nothing that shouldn't be coming, son ?”

“Nothing. You worry too much, pop .”

“Oh, dear, I'm sure it was nothing serious,” Katrin says, flashing me her oblivious smile. “He's a very busy man with his music, and the young lady looked well. They're off to Germany this weekend, I believe. I'm sure we'll see them again before –“

“I hope so!” I cut in, giving Mrs. Turnbladt's hands a farewell squeeze. “We didn't talk much, but tonight was a joy. We'll do it again without unexpected business next time. I'd love to sit down someday at peace, and talk, just like we did tonight. Thanks for making me feel like part of the family, Katrin .”

Warmth blurs her eyes. “A thousand welcomes, doll. I'm thrilled us ladies had a better time tonight than the boys, it seems .”

She glares at Stefan and Cade. The two men turn, uneasy smiles on their faces. Cade's father clears his throat uncomfortably .

“Sorry I wasn't around more, mom. Blame the scotch, like I said. It hit me like a freight train. And Jonas, he was good enough to keep me company, made a lot about the future crystal clear. When my stomach stops churning, I'll be grateful .”

“I'm just happy you're laying off the bottle, boy. Next time, you'll have to remember your own tolerance. Your college days are long over .”

“Of course, mom. Can't say I miss them. It was good to see you again. There's nothing like spending time with family. All the ones who really count.” He pulls her into his embrace, shooting me a sideways glance. There's a resonance in his voice that's surprising, like he's clearing his head after waking up from a long nap .

So, maybe this evening wasn't a complete disaster .

And perhaps there's also life for both of us after his scheming cousin learns some respect, and I learn how to face him without my own secrets clouding our honesty .

* * *

I can't decide what's louder – the ocean's roar, or the blissful beat in my blood .

We're down near the loading docks in town, bundled in full autumn gear, an outing we promised Vinnie. He's always had a soft spot for ships. We've spent the last hour with him watching Reykjavik shipping come and go, listening to his obsessive comparisons with Seattle freight .

Sometimes, he says he wants to go off and be a Marine or a sailor .

I'm worried I believe him. Noble or not, it scares me to death .

So does watching him walk with his arms out way too close to the water, barely balanced .

“Oh my God. He's going to slip and drown!” I whistle nervously through my teeth, shaking my head .

Cade wraps my wrist in his fingers, pulls my hand up, and gives it the warmest kiss ever. “Kid's having fun. Let him. I remember what it used to be like being cooped up all day with homework. He ought to enjoy himself and unwind before we leave tomorrow. Besides, if anything happens, I'm a damn good swimmer .”

I catch myself staring a little too harshly. It only lasts a moment because his eyes, his kiss...can anyone really stay mad at this gorgeous man? Especially after he took us out this morning for the world's most incredible massage. My muscles are still singing, beat to a pulp and loving it .

“It's gone by so fast, our time here. Feels like we just arrived .”

He gives a low happy growl, nodding. “Means you're having fun, Skittle, just like your kid brother. You should do it more often. See how it isn't the end of the world ?”

Laughing, I dig my elbow gently into his side. “Ass. We'd be having a much different kind of fun if I hadn't talked you down the other night, after dinner. Jesus, the way you were looking at him ...”

“I'm not proud I wanted to beat his ass. Caveman me took over.” His smile vanishes. “Guess I owe you, Skye. If I'd lost my better senses and popped Jonas in the nose, there's no telling what might've happened. Still don't know what the sneaky fuck is up to. But at least I didn't have to worry about him crawling up to mom with a broken nose or getting me a shiny new set of handcuffs...that would've really given her a coronary .”

He sighs, blurring the line between dark humor and heavy truth. “You should give yourself more credit. You're not a total Viking Caveman, you just look like one .”

“And don't you fucking love it, beautiful?” He grins, folding another arm around my back, pulling me in. If my lips don't tell him the truth, my body does in spades .

His lips attack mine and we both know the undeniable .

I'm stuck in that honey sweet fog when I see it out the corner of my eye .

A familiar mousy set of green eyes and jet black hair. A shawl. A baby bump .

“Hey, isn't that...” I whisper, clumsily pulling away from him, pointing over his shoulder. “Giselle ?”

The woman turns away before he gets a look, and I get a better one. I rub my eyes, pushing my fingers deep into my sockets, and look toward the small fish market where she was standing only seconds ago .

Assuming it was her, and I'm not hallucinating .

“Don't see anybody, Skye. You sure your eyes aren't playing tricks?” Of course he doesn't notice .

It's like every bad mystery movie I've ever seen. What does that make me? I wonder if I'm becoming the crazy thriller character when I can't make out a shred of her through the meager crowd again .

This doesn't make sense. Why would she be here ?

Maybe I'm seeing things after all. That's a lot more comforting than thinking Jonas' pregnant wife is trailing us .

I need a better look. Creeping forward into the market, I scan it over, trying to catch a glimpse to verify it's her, or prove I'm flat-out wrong .

“Skittle!” Cade runs after me. I'm too busy eyeing the crowd to listen when he yells. “Watch it, you're about to –“

Oomph! I hit the big guy in the trench coat so hard it leaves me winded, which is really a shame because my body tries gasping from the shock. There's confusion, limbs, stuff on the ground he's desperately trying to collect, ignoring my frantic apologies .

He mumbles something in guttural Icelandic that sounds like an apology, too. It could just as easily be an admonishment, though, and I decide I don't really want to know .

I just peel myself away from him. I also have a new problem when something crunches underfoot .

“Damn!” I reach for the twisted metal and hold it up. One look tells me this set of hair pins will never be the same. Neither will my poor purse, which rolled through the dirty water, reeking of fish .

“You okay, love? Didn't realize how serious you were thinking what you saw...” Cade wraps his arms around my waist, instantly soothing .

I take one last longing look around. No sign of Giselle. No anything except my own stupidity .

I feel like a total freak .

“Nah. Just forget it. I guess I was wrong.” Somehow, those words seem more wrong .

“Next time you decide to dart off like a human bullet, say so. I'm a decent runner. Polyphemus over there didn't touch you, did he?” There's a jealous edge in his voice spoiling for a fight as he glares at the giant plodding away from us .

“No. Not intentionally, anyway. I smacked into him pretty hard. Wish I knew enough of this language for a proper apology ...”

“What's with the mud, sis? Is this like a new fashion trend?” Vinnie has his biggest shit-eating grin on when I whip around and shoot needles from my eyes. He crouches by my feet, comes up with something black in his hand, and cocks his head as he passes it over. “What, no thank you ?”

I'm too busy groaning. It's my checkbook, completely coated in mud .

A minute later, we're all on the ground, pecking with our hands like hungry chickens. There are bits and pieces of my stuff everywhere. Cade wipes my phone with a handkerchief while Vinnie snorts, shoving a few dirty coins in my palm I wanted to save as souvenirs from the trip .

“You should really be more careful next time .”

“Same, Vinnie,” I snap. He stares, puzzled for a second, before I reach for his ear and pull. I don't stop until he's begging .

Behind me, Cade is on his feet again, laughing. It's happy music to my ears .

If only we were a normal couple. I'd already know he's a keeper since he's able to appreciate what it takes to put my bratty little brother in his place .