Kulver only grinned. The relish he felt was downright sickening. Helikedthe havoc he wreaked between women and their husbands.
Amryn’s stomach rolled. She wished she hadn’t drunk quite so much wine.
Kulver took a deliberate sip from his glass, lengthening the tense moment. After he swallowed, he said, “Your wife is thoroughly enchanting, General.” He raised his wineglass toward Amryn. “It’s been an absolute pleasure, Amryn. I hope our paths cross again soon.” Without waiting for a response, he sauntered away.
Carver tracked him through the crowd, every muscle in his body coiled tight.
“He’s despicable,” Amryn muttered, unable to hold in her light shudder.
Carver stiffened. In the space of a breath, he’d released her so he could shift to stand in front of her, ducking his chin to catch her gaze. “What did he do? Did he touch you?”
Intensity throbbed in each word, which only fed the adrenaline rushing through her. She forced herself to take a breath. “No.” Except for the brief kiss on her hand. No need to share that with Carver. She shook her head. “He just has no shame. He enjoys seducing women—especially married women.”
A growl moved up Carver’s throat. “I’ll have a word with him.”
“I’m not sure that would do any good.”
“Then I’ll have more than words with him.”
The threat in Carver’s response shouldn’t thrill her, but the protectiveness in them certainly did. She squeezed his arm. “Why don’t we just ignore him?”
“Youshould definitely ignore him,” Carver said, some of his anger filtering out. “We should also make time for some defensive training. You need to learn how to fend off an attacker.”
She snorted. “I don’t think I’m supposed to attack members of the emperor’s staff.”
“Maybe not. But arrogant men who make you uncomfortable? You shouldn’t hesitate to show them your harpy nature.”
Her shoulders drew back, shock shooting through her. “Myharpy nature?”
“Yes.” He lifted one shoulder. “I think of you that way sometimes.”
A bit of hurt sliced over her skin. “You think I’m a harpy?”
“No.” He leaned in to whisper, “You’remyharpy.”
His warm breath teased the sensitive skin of her ear. She fought a shiver as every fine hair on her body lifted. Trying to muster a glare, she pulled back enough to meet his eyes. “I believe when a man gives a woman an endearment, it’s supposed to be sweet andendearing.”
Carver grinned an unrepentant half-smile that made her heart miss a beat. “Maybe. But I prefer my fierce harpy.” His eyes grew a little more serious as he ducked toward her, coming so close she could feel the warmth of his breath. “I love it when you snap at me.”
Her pulse rushed at his nearness, his intensity. She struggled to keep her thoughts straight. “You . . . like it when I get upset with you?”
His expression softened. “I love that you feel safe enough to get upset with me, sweetheart.”
Her breath caught. Not just from hearing the endearment she loved uttered in his smooth, low voice, but because those words were so wonderfully, completely true. Because even if she still struggled with the fact that he wouldn’t open up to her, she knew she was safe with him.
She held his stare, her cheeks warming as she murmured, “Perhaps being a harpy isn’t so bad.”
At her soft response, his blue eyes shined. The air between them thinned. Changed.
She knew she wasn’t the only one to feel the sudden charge between them; not with the way Carver’s smile slowly fell, his intensity increasing as he searched her face.
When his focus dropped to her lips, anticipation arrowed through her, tightening something low in her abdomen.
“Your attention, please!” a booming voice called from the head of the room.
Amryn startled, and Carver tightened his grip on her hand.
“If you would please take your seats,” the same voice said again as the room quieted. “Dinner will now be served.”
