The images kept replaying to the point he had to dump a pitcher of cold water over his head before changing into his work attire.
Staying away from his fated bride was going to be bloody difficult, but he'd survived worse.
Besides, she'd probably stay in a room somewhere, learning what she could or couldn't do in the past, and he wouldn't even see her again until the next day.
Yes, she'd be out of sight, and he could finally push her from his mind.
* * *
Reika hadn't wantedStone to leave, and yet she knew he had a job and a life of his own. Her just appearing out of nowhere didn't mean he'd drop everything to spend time with her.
After all, this wasn't some sort of rom-com movie or anything. No, it was more like some weird B-movie where a girl from the future ends up as a cook for a bunch of vampires.
Not that she minded hauling butt to not only get the staff fed, but also the casino patrons who began arriving in the early evening. It made her feel useful and almost like she'd never woken up in this strange place to begin with.
Her situation had ended up exactly as Stone had laid out in that Leo had temporarily hired her, found some new kitchen maids to help her, and would look for a cook as soon as possible. And as a bonus, she had a guaranteed place to stay—a guest room inside the casino everyone else here called a gaming hell. Oh, and she had complete control over what to serve, with a few suggestions.
Too bad finding ingredients for any of her Japanese-inspired dishes was difficult in 1890 London.
And yes, she'd accepted she was in the past. After changing into a button-up blouse—no giant sleeves, thank goodness, to catch fire in the kitchen—and a long skirt, Yesenia had taken Reika outside and walked her down the street. Seeing carriages, old-fashioned shops with weird hats and dresses, and the complete lack of any sort of modern technology had sealed it.
What she hadn't been able to fully confront was the fact she was stuck here and might never see her family again.
No, she'd shoved that stuff deep down to deal with later. Instead, she'd used her magic and cooked, creating the happy place that could calm her down from anything.
Things whirled by so quickly that she barely noticed when the orders stopped coming, or how she was probably pretty gross from sweating in front of the stove, or how her apron hadn't caught everything, and her clothes needed washing.
When a maid finally announced the orders for the patrons were closed and they'd rounded up the leftovers for the staff to nibble on if they were hungry, she let out a sigh and dabbed her brow with a wet cloth. This kitchen was so much hotter than anything she'd used before, that was for sure. No doubt due to the lack of ventilation.
Needing more than an already warm cloth to cool down, she went to the biggest window facing the alley and opened it. Even if the air wasn't exactly fresh and invigorating—there was far too much coal smoke and horse dung—the light breeze made her sigh and lean into it.
Reika didn't know how long she stood there before she was suddenly yanked back, the window slammed shut, and she faced Stone, his eyes blazing with anger. "What the bloody hell were you doing?"
He'd hauled her up against him, and for a second, she had a hard time focusing on anything but his tall, muscled body pressed against hers.
Her inner shifter wanted to tear his clothes off and lick every inch of his skin.
Not allowing that to show on her face, she focused on her anger. "I didn't realize standing at a window was off-limits. If you couldn't tell, it's stupid hot in here."
He hauled her further from the window, down the narrow hall, and into the small room usually used by the cook and the housekeeper to go over accounts.
Stone shut the door and growled down at her. "This is a gaming hell. All sorts of fucking riffraff lurk nearby at closing time. Pickpockets, debt collectors, and even possibly some of our greatest threats at present—the French vampires. They could've slit your throat or hauled you through the window or pushed you aside and crawled through, holding you down as they forced themselves on you." He shook her a little. "It's bloody well dangerous around here at night."
Normally she'd be mad to have some male shout at her. But there was fear mixed in with the anger in his gaze, and Reika softened a fraction. "Is it really that bad?"
"Inside I can protect you. We all can." He waved toward the wall. "Out there, alone, you don't stand a chance."
For a second, her heart raced and her breathing sped up at the sight of Stone so animated, so afraid for her.
But then she remembered if he couldn't claim her once, he'd go crazy. Keeping her alive was paramount to him staying sane. She wouldn't read into it.
However, when he leaned closer, his hot breath dancing against her face, she couldn't look away from his eyes. A need flashed in them but quickly vanished.
His gaze dropped to her mouth and heat spread throughout her body, ending between her thighs. Even her nipples stood at attention, and it took everything she had not to rub against his hard chest and moan at the friction.
When his golden-eyed gaze met hers again, she murmured, "Stone."
For a second, he looked as if to step back. Then he growled, pressed her even closer against him, and kissed her.