Cherrywood Manor: Part Two (special preview)

Lydia woke up with the foggy memory in her head of what happened in the laundry room. Her barely awake mind drifted to sensations rather than sights. She breathed deeply as that rush of endorphins came to her upon remembering that final, climatic jolt that recharged her very being. It had been ages since that last happened, and just as long since she had sex she enjoyed. Lydia rose from bed with renewed confidence, and a stronger sense of what she desired from this world.

After calling in a breakfast order for the whole house, Lydia got a shower and slipped on her robe to go make coffee. Once in the kitchen, she could already smell fresh coffee in the air. Someone was already awake.

“Good morning,” it was the naga, Kouri, who had spent most of the previous hot day sleeping. His hair was mussed, giving him a much younger appearance than Lydia remembered from the day before. He was mixing his coffee then licked a splash of milk from his thumb. Oddly erotic for in the morning, Lydia thought.

“How long have you been awake?” Lydia came up beside him to make her own mug. She noticed a paintbrush set in the sink as well as other painting supplies along the counter.

“I got up just before dawn,” Kouri replied, his voice smooth but there was an irritated edge to it. “When the house was quiet.”

Lydia cocked her brow up at him and sipped her coffee. “I didn’t think I was that noisy. I came down here to enjoy the quiet as well, but I can just as easily suffer through it on my balcony. But, if it doesn’t bother you, do answer the door when the breakfast delivery arrives.”

Kouri’s silver eyes flicked over Lydia as a cold expression refused to lift from his face. He didn’t say much else as Lydia left the kitchen. She had been enjoying her morning, and his sour attitude went and tainted it.

Asher was upon the stairs as Lydia was ascending them. His appearance had slightly changed overnight, he’d gone from masculine and lean, to a more feminine and lithe appearance. He looked very similar to his cousin Eden in a strange way.

“What a lovely treat to come across you first thing in the morning,” Asher chuckled, his voice still deep and charming.

Lydia huffed. “Good morning.”

Asher cocked his brow. “Is something wrong? I figured after last night you’d be blooming.”

“It’s nothing I shouldn’t let it get-” Lydia stopped. “What do you mean after last night?” She scowled at Asher who just continued to smile.

“What do you mean?” Asher giggled.

Lydia looked around to make sure no one else was about. “No, you’re the one who said it first. What do you know?”

Asher inched closer, his long black tail stroked up Lydia’s bare leg. “I’m an incubus, I feed off sexual energies. What you and Knox gave off was absolutely delicious.” He licked his lips with his long, black tongue. “I went to bed quite happy and content last night.”

“It’s your influence,” Lydia scoffed. “Naoki tried to tell me.”

“Naoki,” Asher giggled. “He’s far too easy. He’s so pent up.” Asher tilted his head to the side, letting his long hair fall down and over his shoulder. “What’s got you looking so bothered though? I figured after that climax last night nothing would get you down.”

“Kouri is inthe kitchen-”

“Say no more,” Asher chuckled. “Kouri isn’t exactly warm, and I mean that beyond his cold blood. He doesn’t much care for humans.”

Lydia shrugged. “I get that.”

Asher’s smile grew, and Lydia was charmed by his more andrgynous display. He looked so pretty and delicate, her mind churned out images of his body wrapped around her own. She shook her head.

“It’s too early in the morning.”

Asher bit his lip. “Forgive me, it’s my nature. Eden warned me you’d be a tasty little morsel,” his voice turned into a low, sensual growl. “But I didn’t expect to find someone more in need than Naoki.”

Lydia pinched her thighs together as the ache returned. “My husband wasn’t exactly attentive in the end. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, Asher.”

“Eden said that too.” The doorbell went off and Lydia was reluctantly pulled away from the conversation. She answered the door, taking the breakfast order.

“I’ll go wake the others,” Asher said as he went back down the hall.

In the kitchen, Lydia was alone with Kouri again. His narrow eyes focused upon her as she laid out the containers of food. Lydia stiffened her jaw, the way he stared and said nothing reminded her of her deceased husband.