“You don’t. But if you’re asking how the lock mechanism works...” I reached into my breast pocket and pulled out a small silver key. “Here it is.”
Alaric gaped in astonishment before hissing, “You never said itlocked!”
I smiled. “You never asked.”
Alaric’s eyes burned furiously, but passion lurked beneath his anger. In truth, I wouldn’t have put it on him if I didn’t think he would like it.
“Fine,” Alaric grumbled. “I’ll wear this ridiculous thing, but I won’t like it.”
The breathy pitch of arousal in his voice said otherwise.
“Very well,” I said, smiling. “Now that we’ve sealed our pact, you’re free to go.”
Alaric curled his lip. “I amnotcrawling back down the side of the castle like this.”
“You really didn’t think this through, did you?” I teased.
“Be quiet, fetish-freak.”
I laughed again. His jabs, though sharp, felt affectionate somehow. Or perhaps I was getting ahead of myself and Alaricdidwant to rake his claws over my eyeballs. Either way, I was eager to see how this all played out.
“Well then. If you give me a moment to change, this fetish-freak will walk you to the front door,” I offered.
“You’d better.”
“And if you behave, I might even give you an outfit to wear on the way home.”
His brow jutted upwards. “And walk back to the hotel looking likeyou? No, thanks.”
“I have normal clothes, you know,” I pointed out. “But suit yourself.”
Alaric huffed and puffed as he headed for my office door, then recognized his explicit nakedness.
“All right, fine,” he conceded. “Give me something to wear.”
I handed him an unassuming white shirt and sweatpants. He shoved them on while I exchanged my own outfit for something more appropriate.
“You may lead me to the front door now,” Alaric instructed, smoothing out the shirt. It was adorably oversized on him, and his grumpy frown only made him look cuter. His feisty attitude was growing on me by the second.
“Very well,” I said. “Come with me.”
The rest of the castle dwellers were either asleep or too engaged in their own activities to notice a pair of footsteps in the halls. I was grateful for each additional moment alone withAlaric. I even felt disappointed when we finally reached the front doors and exited the castle. It meant this little nighttime tryst was over.
Alaric frowned but made no effort to walk away. Was he concerned about getting back?
“Do you know the way to your hotel?” I asked.
He scoffed. “Obviously. I’ve got a cat’s sense of direction.”
“Then why do you hesitate?”
Alaric glared at me. “I’m not hesitating. I’m leaving right now. Goodnight, freak.”
“Goodnight, kitten,” I replied as he stormed off.
He stopped abruptly. Then without turning around, he flipped me off and walked faster until he disappeared into the trees.
4
