“You might be the first male in this world or any other to say that—and mean it. But I’m glad you do.” Chest aching, she leaned against him. “What happens now?”

He sighed. “Now, we recover.” His expression darkened before he said, “Then we go to war.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

THANE KEPT ELIN on the island for a week. His home sat right on the beach, with glass walls peering into the sunrise. There was very little furniture, but what was there was luxurious. His favorite piece was the massive bed with the wispy canopy falling over the sides. When the material was parted, there was a direct ocean view.

All Sent Ones kept multiple homes all over the world, because they never knew where they would be stationed. He even had an underground residence, a place he used to fly the lovers he knew he would be particularly rough with, so nobody could hear their screams.

Time to sell it. That part of his life was over.

He’d kept in contact with his boys and knew everyone was safe. Mourning Chanel’s passing, but safe. He’d pampered Elin in every way he knew how to. He’d made love to her. Gently. Hard. Looong. Quick. He’d stayed in her bed all night and tried to remain awake, unwilling to risk a nightmare, but she had caught on and seduced him into a coma of pleasure. Nary a nightmare to be had.

He’d fed her by hand. He’d tried to tempt her to swim with him, but she’d claimed to have an ironclad deal with the sharks. She stayed out of the water, and they didn’t bite her.

Today, he thought, I make Elin smile.

He missed her smiles. And he could help her with her guilt.

As sunlight streamed into the room, he scooped her from the bed. She was warm, soft and naked.

“Hey,” she said groggily, blinking rapidly. She had spent more time sleeping than anything else, and it was time to force her to play.

He shouldered his way past the glass doors. Sand squished between his toes as he walked. Balmy air caressed his bare skin.

“Hey, someone is going to see us,” she said, fully awake now. “Take me in, before I pop a serious cap in your arse.”

He loved the way her accent thickened with her emotions. “We’re the only two people on the island. No one will see us.” He continued his march toward the water.

“I don’t care. Whatever you’re planning, I’m out.” She began to squirm against his grip. “Let me go. Right this second, Thane Downfall!”

“Oh, I’ll let you go. Don’t worry.” Cool water lapped at his feet.

“Thane! Remember my deal with the sharks!”

“They wouldn’t dare sue you for breach of contract. Not while I’m around.” When the water reached the middle of his thighs, he gave her a quick squeeze and kissed her temple. “I would never do anything to hurt you. You know that, yes?”

She relaxed against him. “Yes. Of course.”

“Good.” He gave her a wicked grin—and tossed her in.

She screamed and flailed. On impact, water splashed. She sank like a stone. Then, a few seconds later, she came up sputtering. “You wretch!”

Adorable female. Wet hair clung to her face and neck. Droplets slithered down her cheeks.

“Payback is going to hurt, Mr. Never Getting Laid Again,” she gritted, swimming toward him. “That’s your new last name, by the way.”

He dived underwater and to the left before she could get a handle on him. But she followed him, and when he came up for air she was behind him, her hands on his shoulders, shoving him back down.

As he broke the surface a second time, he latched on to her wrists and yanked her around until her breasts were smashed against his chest. She exhaled sharply. And so did he, the beauty of her striking him as forcefully as a fist. The sun paid her nothing but tribute, turning her skin a lovely gold, showing hints of red in her dark hair.

A grin lifted the corners of her lips...only to fall a second later.

“Chanel is in your heart,” he said. “Just like Bay. Moving on doesn’t mean you love them any less, or that you didn’t love them enough, and it isn’t something that should plague you with guilt. Be stronger than your emotions, kulta. Don’t let them define you.”

She frowned. “Love is an emotion. There’s nothing stronger.”

“Love is more than an emotion. It’s a choice. Feeling love is one thing. Showing love is quite another.”

“And in this case, the way to show love is...what?”

“Give. Always give, I’m learning. Time. Patience. Mercy. In this case, give Bay and Chanel what they would have wanted for you. Happiness.”

Her lashes fused together for several seconds, but when she opened them, her expression sparkled in a way he hadn’t seen all week. Pretty color stained her cheeks, and he almost shouted with relief.

“You’re right,” she said on a wispy catch of breath.

“I believe we’ve had this conversation before. I’m always right.”

She rolled her eyes. “Correction. You’re always right...when you agree with me.”

His lips twitched at the corners as he pulled her closer. She wrapped her legs around his waist, putting their bodies in the perfect position for penetration. Desire hardened his shaft.

Leaning down, lips hovering just over his, she whispered, “Are you getting naughty ideas, Mr. Probably Getting Laid Again?”

“Many.”

“Well, then...too bad.” She pushed away from him, severing contact.

He opened his mouth to protest...until he saw her smile. He’d done it. He’d made her smile, just as he’d hoped. And it was far more beautiful than he remembered, nearly unmanning him.

“If you want me,” she said, her voice low and husky, “you’re going to have to pay the ginormous toll.”

“Charging fees now?”

“Absolutely. You’ve met me, right? I likes me some money.”

He waved his hand with regal authority. “I’m listening. You may continue.”

She swam a circle around him, as though marking her territory...or she was a predator who’d just spotted the tastiest of prey. “Tell me about the Sent Ones,” she said. “I know so little about your kind.”

“Your price is information?” he asked, incredulous.

“Exactly.”

He feigned disappointment, even as he rejoiced. The more she wanted to know, the more she cared. “You know about angels, I’m sure. Well, Sent Ones and angels are very much alike.”