A dark brow rose and suddenly, something wicked swam through his eyes. “Tried to what, Ember?”
Oh, sweet Goddess, Taroc was making me hard. A man I hadn't even considered was making me hard with a simple question. And it wasn't even a naughty question.
“Um. Tried to, uh. What I mean is, uh, I know you like men. Uh, you do, don't you?”
“Yes. Only men.” He grinned. Slowly. The tips of his fangs glinted. “What about it?”
“You've never flirted with me,” I blurted out.
Taroc chuckled, but his voice remained low and so fucking sexy, “Do you want me to flirt with you?”
“Maybe.”
“You seem a little overwhelmed with choices, Ember. I didn't think you needed my attention.”
“Maybe that's why I want it.”
“Because I haven't given it?” Taroc shook his head at me. “That's not a good enough reason.” He turned and walked away.
“A good enough reason for what?” I called after him.
“For me to chase you.”
I gaped after him.
Then I cursed.
What the fuck was wrong with me? Taroc was right. It was just like my attraction for Jath. I wanted them because they weren't falling over themselves to have me. But you know what? That's only human. And—big revelation here—I'm human. We humans always want what's harder to get. If there's no effort in the gaining, it doesn't feel as precious.
So I watched Taroc walk away with a smile on my face and an erection in my pants. Look at me, I'd found three potential lovers already. All it had taken was a change of perspective.
I went in the opposite direction of Taroc. Because as much as I wanted to go after him, I knew it wouldn't get me anywhere. Wanting something hard to get wasn't just a human trait. It sounded as if Taroc wanted to be the one doing the chasing.
So, instead of chasing him, I kept to my original course. And I was happy about it. I was interested in Taroc, but that could wait. There was a horned man upstairs who needed some attention.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I found Keltyr in his room. He'd been happy to see me, as I expected, but when he offered to take me out, I just shook my head and walked into his bedroom. I noticed an open book on his nightstand and asked him to read to me. His eyes widened when I kicked off my boots and sprawled across his bed. Naughty thoughts simmered in his rounded eyes, but Kel behaved himself. He sat down beside me, propped his back against the headboard, and picked up his book.
Easy hours passed with Keltyr reading to me, and me lying beside him, staring up at his moving lips. I shifted about, curling up at the foot of the bed, then sitting beside him, until I wound up with my head in his lap and his tail curled around me. Kel stayed in one spot the entire time, merely bending forward on occasion or leaning back. He didn't try to touch me until I laid on him and made it impossible for him to do otherwise.
I was so comfortable that I was practically purring.
Keltyr set the book down and stroked my face. “I think that's enough for now.”
“But I want to know what happened to Halgris,” I whined.
“I'm sure the dog will be fine.”
“I hate it when they hurt animals in books,” I grumbled. “People, sure, do whatever the fuck you want to them, but don't hurt animals.”
“Halgris wasn't hurt. He's lost. Yullen will find him. But don't you think he has other more important issues?”
“Absolutely not!” I sat up, dislodging his hand. “That dog is his best friend. He should find him before he fights the Algroth.”
Keltyr chuckled. “You are adorable.”
I shrugged. “I love animals.”
