Chapter 21

Arec leaned closer to kiss Eve, but a knock at her door caused them to jump apart.

“Who could that be?” Eve asked with a frown.

She moved to answer the door, but Arec grabbed her arm and said, “Let me get it.”

As he moved past her, he added, “I don’t trust anyone who knocks on a woman’s door this time of night.”

“I’m not sure if I should be insulted or grateful,” she said with a wry smile.

He glanced over his shoulder at her and said, “Grateful. Definitely grateful.”

Winking at her before turning around, he reached for the door and hesitated.

“What is it?” she asked, her brow wrinkled in confusion.

He shook his head and said, “I’m not sure. Something doesn’t feel right.”

Keeping her behind him, he opened the door and peered out.

“Who is it?” Eve whispered, trying to look over his shoulder.

He shook his head and said, “No one’s out here.”

Opening the door wider, he looked around.

“What’s that?” Eve asked, pointing toward the ground.

He looked down to see a bouquet