A huff. Another huff.
“I don’t know what that means,” I said as he knocked me to the left, “but it didn’t sound like an apology.” He jarred me to the left again. “In fact, it sounded like a naughty phrase—tiger style.” I squeaked when he bumped me too hard to the left, causing me to fall off balance right against the poor man he had already attacked.
But the man was swift, catching me easily in rock-hard arms.
I blinked, gripping the man’s shirt and staring up into—my eyebrows puckered—dazzling silver eyes. I stated dumbly, “You have Leric’s eyes.”
The man’s lips quirked at the corners, white eyebrows rising slightly as he straightened from catching me, setting me safely on my feet. He explained in a calming, deep voice, “Technically, he has mine.” He held out a large hand as I stood blinking like an idiot. “I’m Francis Damon, Leric’s father. I’m guessing you would be,” those silver eyes flicked down at my clothes, “Caroline Jules, the woman my wife, Tavia, spoke of?”
“Uh…” Okay, this was his dad. I guess it was better meeting him this way than how I had met his mom. But still, it was unnerving staring into those eyes on a face that was, yes, incredibly handsome but not Leric’s. Leric’s facial structure was more his mother’s. “That would be me.” I swallowed then blinked, and I quickly thrust my hand into his, realizing he might think me rude if I continued gawking like I was. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr Damon.” I glanced at his chest, scanning his person. “Tristan didn’t hurt you too bad, did he?” He wasn’t acting hurt from Tristan’s pounce.
Mr Damon smiled easily, a bit dazzlingly, much unlike his son who hardly smiled. “No. That was Tristan’s normal way of saying hello to me.” He ruffled the fur on top of Tristan’s head when the tiger sat calmly next to us, while tilting his head slightly to me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Ms Jules.”
I waved my hand toward the lodge’s dining area, blinking a little when I saw Leric’s dad petting Tristan, never having seen Tristan let anyone touch him so easily other than Leric or myself. However I stayed on track, saying, “I’m fairly sure Leric’s having breakfast in the dining room. Do you want to join our group?”
Again he grinned with no trouble, but his eyes—those silver eyes—were gradually taking their tour of my person, evaluating me bit by bit. “Yes, we’ll be joining you, but my wife’s still getting ready.” He took his attention away from my shoes and glanced at his watch, before he skimmed back to the toes of my boots, then up to my eyes. “We should be in there before long.”
Honestly, I was glad he had been looking elsewhere—although, his perusal could warrant further evaluation compared to his supposed lax attitude—because I had time to compose my features at hearing Leric’s mom was here. I nodded with a steady dip of my head. “I’ll see you inside shortly.”
Another glance at his watch. “Hopefully shortly.”
I nodded, and I about tripped as Tristan wound around my legs. I steadied myself, scolding him quietly as he walked by my side and rubbed his flank against my right leg. We trekked into the dining room and he continued being the adorable flirt he was, more than likely still waiting on that chocolate I had promised. The furry bundle of joy was doing a damn fine job of keeping my mind occupied from miserable contemplations.
“Please excuse our tardiness,” Mr Damon apologized, at least ten minutes late for breakfast as he and Mrs Damon—dressed in white linen pants, blouse, and thin cashmere cardigan and appearing just as prim and exotically beautiful as she had before—sat on either side of Leric.
Leric’s parents were the guests King Collins had spoken of yesterday.
They were sitting directly across from me.
“It’s not a problem,” King Collins stated, having held up everyone ordering their breakfast for the guests’ arrival. He turned his attention immediately to Mrs Damon. “I trust the amenities here are to your liking, ma’am?”
I hid my snicker at the ‘ma’am’ reference by taking a sip of my water. Everyone’s faces before the pair had arrived had been carefully neutral—Leric had been at the table. The group had politely told me of the arrival of Leric’s parents and the ‘requests’ Leric’s mother had for ‘helpfully altering’ everyone’s activities yesterday to suit her wishes. But a few covert glances had told me Leric’s mom had struck just about each and every one of them with her ‘tenacious’ attitude, beyond her taking over the vacation.
“Yes, thank you.” Mrs Damon dropped her gaze to her menu. She patted Leric’s arm, stating softly to him, “Good morning, dear.”
“Good morning, mom,” Leric rumbled politely, sitting back on his chair and staring over my head through the large picturesque window behind me, his expression clear.
But his eyes unmistakably stated he could already use a drink.