Chapter 9: Returning Home

Liliana's POV

"Oh my gosh. Tell me you're home? I've been beyond jealous. What I wouldn't do to be whisked away on a private jet right now. I want to hear every bloody detail."

Smiling into the darkness of her apartment, Liliana reached up to touch the rose gold chain hanging around her neck.

"Yes. I'm home. And yes, it was beyond anything we could have imagined. My week is going to be ludicrous; however, let's meet at the shop tomorrow evening after you close. Then, we can walk upstairs to the apartment for a glass of wine."

After hanging up with Aubrey, Liliana sat down on the bed. She was still a little jet-lagged after staying up into the wee hours of the morning for three days in a row. Topping it off, a whirlwind of activities had been scheduled for her during the hours Darick spent working. She just hadn't known before going out there that his work was going to be every sunlit hour.

• • •

However, none of it mattered after the last night they were together in California. Darick arranged for the Bentley to transport Liliana to the St. Francis Yacht Club. A large white dress box had been left on the bed with a noted lain on top.

Liliana

Our final night will be aboard my yacht under the stars. I took the initiative and purchased something for you to wear.

I believe Marilyn last had it in her closet.

- DX

Lifting the shimmering dress from the box, she quickly turned it over to find the small heart stitched on the backside of the dress. Pushing aside the remaining tissue paper, she sank her hands into a white sable mink stole. Liliana knew both had been worn by Marilyn Monroe in the movie "Some Like It Hot."

"How did he know this is a dress I've always secretly admired? And look at these shoes!"

Turning around in front of the mirror, she admired the designer's craftsmanship. A deep-vee was cut into the back panels of the dress, which shimmered with every step. It was a perfect fit.

Arriving at the yacht club, she was greeted by the club's commodore in dress whites. Following behind along a heavily scented path of wild rose, the two came to a halt at the edge of the marina docks. Standing at the end, under a towering flagpole, stood Darick. The edges of the spotlight outlining his striking figure.

A deep blue British naval jacket with brass buttons lining the length of both sides of his chest was the first thing her eyes rested on. Tight white woolen breeches outlining the contours of his legs were next. Lastly, folded under his right arm was an ornate cap tucked close to his body.

Liliana made a motion to begin moving down the pier. Instantly, her eyes locked with his, and she was drawn down the long dock flanked by boat slips. Each step brought her closer to a man she still knew so little about. A man that had completely captured her heart with a thousand tiny gestures that said she meant the world to him.

"Liliana, you are radiant in that dress. You know I'm going to ask. Turn around. It's what makes the whole dress scream S-E-X-Y."

Liliana threw her head back and laughed. She slowly turned to the right, revolving until her backside with the small stitched heart came into view. She heard his chuckle and spun back around, laughing with him.

Before another word was uttered, he dropped the hat he had been clutching and pulled her close. Pausing for a split second as their laughter still mingled, a deep shudder coursed through Liliana. Derrick bent closer, and their lips touched. Gently at first, before the tidal wave of emotion swept them both up into a deep kiss.

Easing back, their eyes stayed on each other. A chill blew across Liliana's back as Darick softly ran his hands down to rest at her hips.

"My eternal life has been forever changed by you. Do you realize that?"

Looking up into his face, the exact words echoed in her soul. How would she ever be able to go back to life as she knew it before Darick? He knew her inside and out. There was nothing she wouldn't do to be with him.

Releasing her from his arms, Darick put a hand into his pocket and withdrew a small turquoise box with a white satin ribbon tied around it.

"This is for you. Thank you for a wonderful weekend. I wish my time wasn't so limited. It feels like the longer I live, the less I really have."

Inside the box, a small knotted rose gold pendant hung from a slender chain studded with a row of diamonds.

"You know I could have bought anything in the store; however, I know you, and I wanted you to wear it."

* * *

That first day back at work after the long weekend was filled with client phone calls, contract reviews, and far away space stares. Her assistant finally walked into her office, dumping her belongings in a chair and putting a stack of folders on her desk.

"Here is your jacket and briefcase. Put on your street shoes and head home. You've been a million miles away most of the day. These will be here for you to review in the morning."

"Thanks, Ms. Jenkins. You're right. I'm meeting Aubrey for a glass of wine, and this will give me a chance to stop at the shop around the corner."

* * *

Entering the shop, Liliana was immediately aware of a sharp smell. Like a burned fan belt. Turning down the aisle stacked with white wine bottles, she called out to the shopkeeper.

"Evening George, any recommendations for a white wine?"

Before an answer could be heard, she plowed straight into Felicia Asmodeus.

"Imagine meeting you here. Appears your weekend with Xander didn't leave you too drained. You seem to be all flushed and rosy from the looks of it."

Letting out a vexed huff, Liliana brushed past the woman. Does she have a tracker on me? Having moved past, she turned back to confront Felicia. Instead, a strange swarm of insects fluttered around the woman's head. Felicia was dancing around and swatting at the air around her head.

"Ugh. Wysps. Curse him."

Liliana watched the strange interaction without much thought until she heard Felicia snarl.

"Darick Xander is a dead man. The House of Strigois will rise again."

Shakily paying for her purchases, Liliana replayed every word Felicia had uttered. Maybe Liliana had misunderstood what the woman said. Wasn't Strigois a name she had seen written in the scrolls at Castello di Amoroso?

• • •

Pushing open the door to the flower shop, Liliana called out for Aubrey.

"Hang on. I'm finishing this final arrangement. Here. This is for you from Darick. He called and left a message sometime last night."

Her friend came through the backroom doors carrying a bouquet of red roses. Thrusting them into Liliana's hands, Aubrey gave her a giant hug.

"I'm so happy for you. Let's go upstairs. Tom has the baby, and I want to hear everything."

Looking at her friend, she began to wonder about how much of everything she was going to be willing to share. There were still pieces of the puzzle she was uncomfortable talking about because they sounded crazy.

"Not quite sure what everything entails. You're going to need to put on your super-sleuthing relationship decoder ring to figure this one out."

**

After hearing the details about the weekend, minus a few parts, Aubrey sat back and mulled in silence.

"So, you two never slept together? And you are telling me he is the one. However, we still know very little about the man. You two really have a strange thing going on."

Hiding the blush rising from her neckline, Liliana quickly picked up her glass and tossed back the remainder of her wine.

"Girl, you don't know the half of it."