She liked the sound of dancing in the stars. For the first time, she allowed herself to fully relax. She tipped her head up and studied the constellations scattered overhead. The sky looked beautiful, so dark it was nearly blue, the stars and sliver of moon hot and glowing against that backdrop. There were a few drifting clouds, but they looked inviting rather than threatening.

More childish laughter caught her attention, and she turned her head to see the Waltons standing with Danny, talking to the two youngest. Mary Walton carried something cradled in her arms. Her husband, Donald, had a large gun slung around his shoulder. She sat up so fast she nearly spilled into the water.

“What in the world?” She stared at the couple as they laughed and talked with Danny. “Dragomir, they’re carrying guns. Both of them. They’re the sweetest couple. They live in the boathouse. I’ve never been in it, but the children tell me it’s really nice and homey. Why in the world would Mary be carrying a gun? Or Donald, for that matter. They could hurt themselves.”

“My understanding is they know how to use them. They’re both efficient at it.”

“I suppose they’re protecting the children. I hate that Bella and Lourdes have to see that. And poor Liv. She’s only ten, and she had those terrible creatures of Vadim’s tearing at her, eating her alive. If it weren’t for Valentin, she never would have made it out of there. I couldn’t have saved her, nor could Blaze. It was Valentin.”

The sound of the frogs increased and, along with them, the crickets started. She found herself laughing softly. She almost couldn’t believe anything could make her laugh, not when she’d been thinking about Vadim’s underground city and the atrocities he’d committed on men, women and children there. The frogs and crickets added a magical reality to the night.

“Listen to them. Any minute I expect them to burst into song.”

“They are singing,” he said. “Dance with me, sívamet. I believe I have pulled enough information out of your mind to lead you in a waltz.” He put the oar down and the canoe glided by itself over the water to the dock nearest the Waltons’ boathouse and away from the children. It was darker and more secluded.

He stood up, balancing easily, and held out his hand to her. She hesitated. They were still in the canoe and if she moved wrong, they could both fall into the water. He might be right – that she could swim – but she didn’t want to test his theory there in the dark.

His white teeth flashed at her and his lower lip curved into the soft, intriguing smile she found herself watching for. “Emeline. Really? You think I would allow you to fall into the water? Especially since you’re afraid. That would be cruel. I’m capable of great cruelty, but never to the woman I love. Give me your hand.” He held out his hand to her.

Her heart went crazy, for him or out of fear, she wasn’t certain which, but it beat like a drum out of rhythm. She placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her to her feet. The canoe didn’t so much as rock. That was all him. Looking out for her.

He moved then, shifted his feet, took them into the air so that her sandals hovered just above the canoe. His arm went around her back and he brought her hand up. His frame was superb, as good as any of the professionals she’d danced with. She put her hand on his shoulder and allowed him to pull her into his body. Close. Closer than she would ever have allowed any other dance partner.

His body felt wonderful. Strong. Male. Pure Dragomir. No other man could ever make her feel the mixtures of things he did. Or give her the intensity of emotion he gave her. She felt safe and sexy, beautiful and intelligent. He listened to every word she said. Gave her strength and made her hope – believe – even if it was just for a few minutes.

Dragomir enfolded Emeline into his arms, guiding her body into the shelter of his. If dancing was what she loved, then he would be an expert dancer, guiding her up through the air toward the stars. The song that was playing over and over in her head played in his as well. He brought the music to life, hearing the beat in her head, feeling it in his body.

Below them, on the ground, the children continued to play together, Liv and Amelia skipping rocks on the lake, Danny and the little girls talking with the Waltons and Genevieve, who had joined them. The scene seemed surreal. He didn’t care about any of them right in that moment. Only Emeline and her happiness.

They moved together in perfect rhythm. Dancing was like making love, he decided, his body guiding hers through the intricate steps as they danced up unseen stairs, going higher and higher until the clouds drifted past them.

He allowed her to step on one, ensuring that to her it appeared a fluffy white floor. He whirled her out and brought her back into him. All around them the stars shone brightly. Their cloud drifted across the sky as they danced to the music, her body moving in rhythm with his. He always was in control, yet when he was with Emeline, his body refused to listen to his commands, taking over, rebelling. Swelling with urgent need. She couldn’t fail to feel his cock, hard and aching, pressed so tightly against her stomach.

“I love that you want me, Dragomir,” she whispered. Her head was against his chest, her ear over his heart. “I want that always. I want to know when I walk into a room, you’re aware of me. I’m always aware of you.”

The sound of her voice whispering against the immaculate suit jacket he wore ratcheted up the hunger beating through him.

“From the first time I saw you in the yard with the others, I thought you were the sexiest man alive.” She turned her head so her chin dug into his chest and her eyes were on his. “I daydreamed of you. I fantasized about you. I dreamt of you at night. Before Vadim’s attack and certainly after, I never thought about sex. After I saw you, it was all I could think about.”

She pleased him with her admission. She didn’t have to tell him, but she gave that to him. Just handed him that gift as if it were nothing. She was very shy about their relationship, more so than about their sex, yet she gave him a piece of information that was a little embarrassing to her.

“You didn’t share your dream with me.”

Color crept into her face. Her long lashes fluttered. “Well. No. That was private. I wasn’t about to share the kinds of things you did to me.”

“Good things?”

“In my dream they were good things. In reality, I’d be afraid. We already went up in smoke together. Can you imagine if you were getting creative?”

“I plan on being very creative. Do you have a problem with that?” He nuzzled her neck. His teeth tugged on her ear.

“No. I’m just saying we could set the world on fire.”

“Show me.” His voice had lowered to a sinful, wicked temptation.

She shook her head. “We’re dancing.”

“We have this cloud to ourselves, sívamet,” he pointed out.

She couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it. Of course they had the cloud to themselves. No one danced in the clouds. No one danced surrounded by stars. Leave it to Dragomir to give that to her.

“We have too many clothes on for me to show you anything,” she said. Already her blood had gone hot and rushed through her veins like a torrent of fire. Her center had gone liquid with need. She tasted him in her mouth and wanted more.

Immediately, just as she’d known he would do, their clothes were gone in a blink of an eye. The hand that had been on her back slid down to cup her buttocks. His fingers kneaded and stroked, sending heat waves through her.

“Show me,” he commanded.

She would have done anything for him. His cock was heavy against her stomach, and she wanted it inside her. Right that moment. Her hand slid up his hip to find that thick girth. She wrapped her fingers around him and bent her head so she could lick at the pearl drops leaking there. He tasted as good as she remembered. She stepped out of rhythm and then had to straighten to keep in step.

He never stopped dancing with her, keeping up the rhythm of their bodies moving together. It was not only beautiful to her, but sexy. With every movement, her nipples slid across his chest, sending streaks of fire aimed straight to her center.

His hands cupped her buttocks, pressing her mound tightly against him. She couldn’t stop her hips from riding his thigh. It felt so good. He always felt so good. She was lost in the sensations his body created.