“Stop calling me that!” I huff.
“But it fits you so well,” He’s suddenly behind me, his proximity sending zaps down my spine, “Especially when you’re stomping around with your claws out.”
His deep chuckle has my eyes narrowing. God, I hate him.
“Through here,” He guides me, “Pick any seat you want.”
I step into a room that is completely dominated by a table that can seat at least twenty. Bookshelves line one wall of the room and on the other side is just a wall of windows that stare out into a forest. It’s almost fully dark out but I can make out the trees that stretch into the sky, the bare limbs like skeleton hands clawing for the clouds.
There’s a spread of food on the table and a few members of Malakai’s staff standing at the edge of the room. A blush creeps up my neck and warms my cheeks as I realize I’m still in the robe and I am very naked underneath.
I choose a seat in the middle of the table, assuming Malakai will take his place at the head, but much to my absolute dismay, he chooses the seat directly opposite me. He grins at my scowl.
“You make it too easy, darling,” He plucks the covers off the dishes, and I’m hit with the direct aromas of all the food. Beef in a type of red wine sauce, sauteed greens and creamed potatoes all sit steaming in the middle of the table.
“Please help yourself,” he tells me, leaning back in his chair as he picks up his glass with two fingers of amber liquid. I wonder if it’s the whiskey I threw back earlier. That stuff was good, after it stopped burning of course.
I pour myself a glass of wine from the bottle I still have a strangle hold on and reach for the potatoes.
He watches the entire time, making my stomach knot with unease.
For a man who holds death like a set of playing cards, he sure doesn’t act like it in his home.
At the hotel where the deal was made, that man was the devil. He manipulated me, dangling my sister’s life in front of me, like she was tied to a string. Her or me. That was the choice. This man here though, sitting in front of me right now, they’re not the same. I fully understand it’s all a front, a disguise and it’s keeping me on edge, wondering when therealhim will come out.
With a plate of food and a full wine glass I go about getting through this dinner quickly. I keep my eyes down, my fork moving as I shovel food into my face. It’s not lady like, it’s not elegant like I’ve always been taught. It’s messy. I’m pretty sure I have red wine sauce dripping down my chin and let’s not start with how the white wine and this food doesn’t pair.
But I’m not trying to impress him. I’m trying torepulsehim.
I glance up, wondering if it’s working but all I am met with is a smirk.
The staff standing at the back of the room can hardly contain their horror, but Malakai is clearly finding this highly entertaining.
I grab the napkin and wipe my mouth.
“You’re fucking adorable.” He cocks his head as if studying something.
“And you’re a fucking asshole,” I give him my sweetest smile, fluttering my lashes like the pretty doll he thinks I am.
How do I make this man suffer!?
With his eyes on me, I watch him straighten the cutlery around his still empty plate and place his glass down meticulously on the slate coaster set up at the side. He spins his glass before he settles it down again, eyes on me the whole time.
They’re a deep blue around the edges, like dark denim which make them look a lot darker than they are, but in this light, I can see the almost neon centers, so blue they look electric.
Pretty, I think.
But then you pair them with the dark lashes, deep set brows and mess of dark hair, he looks menacing.
Okay, now I’m staring.
Dropping my eyes, I reach for my wine, downing the rest of it to the chorus of his laughter.
Chapter Five
Her cheeks burn with a furious blush as her eyes dart away quickly. I can’t help but let out my chuckle, watching as I rattle her.
I knew it wouldn’t take much to rile her and I’m looking forward to finding all the buttons she has.
