Page 126 of For Better or Hearse
“You said you wanted to see a lighthouse.” His grin’s lopsided, like he hasn’t figured out how to use it.“I reserved it for you.”
She stares at the lighthouse and its bright red roof. Her breathing goes shallow. “You can do that?”
“For you, I did,” he says seriously. He watches her face closely. “Do you like it?”
Her heart thumps so hard it hurts.
Nathaniel did this. For her. Whisked her away on an impromptu trip. A sweet excursion that’s tailored to what she wants to do. It’s such a kind, thoughtful gift that she wants to cry.
To scream.
Because she can feel it. The slow dissolve of the walls of her heart. It’s all breaking down. Like bones in acid.
Suddenly, she can’t contain it anymore. Her joy.
She flings herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she says, clasping her hands to his face. She stares into his eyes. Kisses his lips. “I love it.”
His throat bobs, his face heavy with emotion in the hazy sunlight. “I thought we’d stay for the sunset, then head back. It’ll be late, but…”
She nods. She wants every second of this day. A world, a memory she gets to share with only Nathaniel. “I don’t care.”
Hand in hand, they walk the trail that leads up to the lighthouse. Seabirds—kestrels, petrels and boobies—swoop over the waves.
A thousand bonfires ignite in her heart. “Look at it.” She points up at the structure, fascinated by how big it is, how smallshe feels. There’s an electric energy to the place. A meant-to-be type of feeling. “It’s like a great looming giant.”
She turns her head, and her breath hitches. Nathaniel is watching her, gaze intense. Heat slicks up her thighs.
She wiggles her brows. Squints up at the tower, the beacon and the viewing platform, and a chill creeps over her spine. “Do you think the ghosts want to meet us?”
A kind of amused laugh escapes him. “I don’t know how I feel about being offered up to the spirits.”
“I’ll be the first sacrifice.” She tugs at his hand. “C’mon.”
Feeling giddy and reckless, she opens the door of the lighthouse. Inside, it’s part gift shop, part museum. They look around, reading plaques and various other displays, and then Ash drifts to the circular staircase.
“Up?”
Nathaniel nods. Hand on her back, he follows as she takes the stairs carefully. They climb. Up and up.
“Be careful.” His voice is hard. She knows now that he’s being cautious. Worrying. When they get to the small circular walkway that lines the beacon tower, he holds tight to her waistband.
They step out onto the observation platform. Salty sea air hits them in the face.
Ash takes a deep breath, inhaling. “Oh my god,” she breathes, grasping the railing.
Their surroundings are stunning. Panoramic ocean views. The sunset dipping beyond the horizon. She can picture it. Kilauea’s guiding light giving early sailors safe passage from the dangerous bluffs and guiding them home.
Nathaniel wraps his left arm around her middle and pulls her back against him. She snuggles against the hardness of his body. Tips her head back to look up at him. “Now’s your chance,” she teases. “Three days left to murder me.”
The mention of the end of the trip kills the light in his eyes.
A muscle works in his jaw. Then he husks, “How about I kiss you instead?”
He turns her toward him, crushing her against his chest. He kisses her. Hard. Almost angrily. Her heart knocks at her sternum as she sweeps her tongue over his. Runs her nails through his wind-ruffled hair. She digs them in, earning a sharp curse of pleasure from Nathaniel.
He’s evil. The way he makes her want him.
Without breaking contact, he coasts his hands over her ass, squeezing, yanking her against him tight. Every ounce of willpower inside her shatters.