To Seduce An Assassin (The Omaja Series Book 2)(48)

“Did she say anything?”

“No. She never gave any indication she noticed we were there.”

“Weren’t you scared?”

“A little, but we were too curious not to follow her and see where she went.”

“Did you ever go back to the cabin later, try to figure out its history?”

“Yes, many times. It was leaning over, about to crumble to the forest floor. There was nothing inside but for a few broken pieces of furniture and a half-rotted rag doll that we found under some old moth-eaten clothes. We wondered if the woman had lived there, and if she’d perhaps had a daughter she was searching for.”

“How sad,” Graciella murmured.

“Yes.” He turned his gaze to his plate, avoiding looking at her as a feeling of intimacy surged in his chest. That feeling arose in him often when they talked, he realized. She was easy to converse with, and since they shared similar sentiments on a variety of topics, he felt a natural kinship with her.

Which didn’t make it any easier to avoid leaning across the table and kissing her delectable-looking lips.

“Anyhow,” he cleared his throat and served himself another salmon cake, “if you hear anything else, let me know. I won’t think you’re foolish or imagining it.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

A sudden thought occurred to him. “Did you see or hear something strange in your bedroom last night?” Maybe that was why she’d gone to his room.

“No. Last night all was quiet.”

He kept his gaze glued to his plate as he cut off a bite of salmon cake. “Did you…sleep well, then? Last night, that is?”

“Yes, perfectly. The bed is so comfortable and warm now with the filstoc fur.” She ate a roasted sprout, her expression one of pure innocence.

Why were you in my room? he wanted to ask. And why did you leave? He clenched his jaw and washed down the salmon with a long drink of wine, willing his thoughts to take a different direction besides how desperately he’d wanted her to join him in his bed last night, and all the things he would have loved to do to her once she was there.

Kitran brought out dessert, which looked like some sort of glazed cake.

Graciella looked startled when she saw it. “Oh, no, Kitran. This is the wrong cake. Take it back.” She turned to him before getting up. “Excuse me a moment.”

He watched as she followed Kitran back to the kitchen, then returned a moment later with a cake that looked the same to him.

“What’s wrong with the other cake?” he asked as she set it down.

“Oh, that one didn’t have enough spice for my taste, so I made another cake with more. I hope I didn’t overdo it the second time.” She chuckled nervously and seated herself. The scent of fragrant spices in the freshly baked cake filled his nostrils pleasantly as she cut and served him a large piece.

He picked up his fork, noticing she didn’t take a piece for herself. “Aren’t you having some?”

“No. I tested so much of it while I was baking, I’m just not hungry for it anymore.”

He ate a mouthful. “It’s delicious. I think you got the spice just right.”

“Oh, good.” She sipped primly of her wine and watched him eat.

The cake was moist, deliciously sweetened with honey, and redolent with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and other unidentifiable spices. He quickly finished it off and dabbed at the corners of his mouth with his napkin.

“More?” She held up the plate of cake, flashing him a charming smile.

“Yes, I suppose I have room for more. I haven’t had this type of cake before. What do you call it?”

“I call it Spice Delight Cake.” She deftly cut him another huge piece.

“Delight, indeed.” He put a forkful in his mouth. “It’s wonderful. I think you could open a bakery with this recipe. This cake, plus your delicious breads.”

She tried to serve him a third piece before he finished the second, but he shook his head no. He was starting to feel full, and a little strange. Warm, and drunk. Fuzzy around the edges. Had he really drunk that much wine? He picked up the wine bottle to examine it.

“What’s wrong?” Graciella asked, the sexy lilt of her voice sending pleasurable chills up his spine.

“Oh, nothing, I—do you want more wine?” He held up the bottle.

Her thick black lashes seemed to move in slow motion, fluttering prettily over her mesmerizing hazel eyes as she blinked. “No, I still have some in my goblet.”

He swallowed, staring at her face. Before he could stop himself, his gaze was drawn to her neckline. Heat crept up the back of his neck at the sight of the enticing swell of her breasts, and he went hard as a rock inside his trousers. He forced his gaze away and took another bite of cake.

Wait—is that Tongkat Ali I’m tasting? He frowned as he chewed the bite slowly, trying to discern the sage-like flavor of the Nandalan herbal remedy for impotence.

“Something wrong?” Her face was the picture of innocence.

“No, I—” His erection throbbed. “I just realized how full I am. I may not be able to eat my last couple bites of cake.” Spice Delight, my arse! She’s poisoned me, the little sneak. That’s why she had to get the other cake. A slow smile spread across his face at her daring, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.