Sunil folded his arms on the edge of the pool and propped his chin on them. “Are you certain you do not wish to join me?” he asked. “The water is cool and you look hot.”
His smile was a mile wide and Nilima’s brows narrowed as she scowled at him. “Stop using that phrase.”
“What…hot?” he asked innocently.
“I never should have taught you what that means.” She lifted the book so it blocked him from view.
Sunil hoisted himself out of the water and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist. He dried his hair with another and tossed the damp towel on top of Nilima’s legs.
“Sunil!” she said again and jumped up, grabbing the towel and throwing it at his face. He caught it easily and darted after her but she kept the chair between them. He approached slowly, grinning, while she picked up her large and very full glass of lemonade. Sunil’s eyes narrowed.
“You wouldn’t,” he said.
“I think you look hot, Sunil,” Nilima said triumphantly.
Just as he leapt, she threw the contents of the glass in his face. She squealed and raced away, but he caught her, picking her up at the waist and leaping into the pool, dragging her along with him. Nilima rose to the surface, gasping and sputtering. He emerged and sucked in a breath. “You deserved that, woman. You have been slowly driving me crazy for months.”
“And what about you?” she spat back as she smoothed her hair away from her face and started swimming to the steps. “You’ve been a thorn in my side since you got here!”
“You are so prickly I’m surprised you would notice a small thorn like me,” he replied, trailing behind her.
“I wish you were one of my employees so I could give you notice,” she hollered back. “And no, I’m not explaining that one. Figure it out for yourself!”
Sunil had cornered her at the side of the pool. She turned to him and made a halfhearted attempt to escape, but soon gave up. Her breaths were quick and sharp and her eyes were full of fire.
“So,” he said, touching his finger to a wet strand of hair and pushing it over her shoulder, his fingers grazing her skin. “You finally admit that you have been noticing me.”
“How dare you! I…”
Sunil swept closer and closed his mouth over hers. She pushed against him for a moment, but he took her hand from his chest and put it around his neck instead. When she moaned softly and slid her hand into his hair, he took hold of her waist and pulled her tightly to him. They kissed as passionately as they’d fought. But, then, his kisses gentled and slowed and he drew away before she wanted him to.
He pressed his forehead against hers. “Nilima,” he said, running a hand down the length of her wet hair. “Tell me you love me.”
She pulled away from him but she didn’t go far. “No, Sunil. I don’t…” Nilima paused, the words frozen on her lips.
Sunil touched her neck, his thumb grazing her jaw. He moved closer and her eyes dropped to his lips. He smiled. “Fine, you stubborn girl. Then I will say it first.” He cupped her face in his large hands. “I love you more than anything in this world. More than the cherished memories of my past and more than the miracles of the present. I lay my future at your feet. I would walk the unknown with you at my side and discover every new thing this world has to offer. Be my bride, Nilima. You don’t have to say you love me. Just say you will marry me and I’ll work every day to earn the rest.”
Nilima blinked, the water lapping at her shoulders. “Oh, Sunil,” she said with a sigh.
“Do you mean to crush my heart? My spirit?” he said with a mock expression of horror. He put his hands on her shoulders and shook her lightly. “Confess your feelings. I know you have them. Inside this cold exterior,” he said, poking her arm, “lies a very warm woman. I should know,” he added, raising his eyebrows meaningfully. Loudly then, he pronounced, “She denies me her affections, but continues to attack me scandalously in every dark corner she can, completely compromising my reputation. And now she has pushed me into a pool to have her way with me!”
“Stop it! Stop!” she laughed, covering his mouth with her hand.
His eyes twinkled as he kissed her palm and each fingertip. “Say you will marry me, Nilima,” he begged softly. “Please.”
She pressed her hand against his cheek. “Yes, Sunil. I’ll marry you.”
Sunil laughed joyfully and grabbed her, spinning her around until she shrieked and laughed with him, her arms holding on to him tightly. “And now say you love me.”
“I love you,” she echoed.
He slowed, setting her down, and added, “With all your heart.”
Running her hand across the angled planes of his chest, and stopping when her palm reached his heart, she agreed, “With all my heart.”
Then, with his hand sliding over hers, he ducked his head, capturing her lips once again.
Ana squeezed my hand and the scene before us disappeared.
Chapter 25
A Cave and a Circus
We rematerialized in a thick forest of trees. The air was warm but clouds were gathering overhead. I inhaled and I recognized the place immediately.
“Oregon,” I said. “Why are we here?”
Anamika started forward through the trees and said, over her shoulder, “We have to free Ren.”
I frowned and trailed after her. “Free him? From what exactly?”
“He is currently trapped as a tiger. This is something you inflicted upon him when he was captured, correct?”
“Yes, but…”
“We are here to free his human side. Unlike you are now, he will be limited as to how long he can sustain his human form, but it will give him the opportunity he needs to eventually break his curse.”
I froze. “This is when Kelsey meets him at the circus.”
“That is what the paper says.” Ana turned to me. “What exactly is a circus?”
Never having been to one myself, but hearing about it firsthand from those I trusted, I said, “Kelsey and Ren have opposing views. Perhaps we should find out for ourselves.”
“Agreed,” she said.
When we reached the edge of the trees and I saw the large building ahead of us and a parking lot full of cars and trailers, I touched her elbow. “Perhaps we should change clothing to fit in with the locals?”
Ana nodded and though Kelsey had yet to meet either of us at that point in her life, we decided it would be best to alter our appearance as well. After using the scarf, we both looked like an average young Oregonian couple out for an evening of…uh, circusing. At least, I hoped we did. From my experiences in Kelsey’s country, most events could be attended wearing what she called jeans. Ana rubbed her hands on the thighs of her pair, feeling very uncomfortable.
“Are you certain that women wear such things in this time?” she asked.
“It covers a lot more than that dress you wore to Ren’s wedding,” I said.
“Yes, but…” Ana stepped closer and whispered into my ear. “It shows my shape.”
My eyebrows lowered as I took a step back and looked her up and down. The pair of jeans hugging her body certainly did show her shape. Even though we were disguised as other people, her figured had remained virtually the same. I let myself appreciate the view for just a few long seconds while she squirmed uncomfortably.
“Would you prefer a skirt?” I asked.
Ana looked down at her long legs, considering. “No,” she finally sighed. “If this is what the women wear, it would be best to fit in.”
“It would,” I agreed.
Giving me a nod, she took my outstretched hand, and I led her to the front of the building, where we met a young man selling tickets.
“How much?” I asked him.
“Ten for each of you. Total of twenty,” he said.
I grunted, patting my pockets. Ana handed me a large gemstone and I shook my head minutely. A family got in line behind us. “I must have left my wallet in my car,” I said. “We’ll be right back.”
Turning around, I looked for a sign to indicate where the money machine might be. I wasn’t sure I could get it to work using our powers but it couldn’t hurt to try. Finding it, I showed it to Ana, who tapped on its side. “Where is the lock?” she asked.