“Yes. Those are layered with butter instead of oil, then soaked in sugar syrup. I find them too sweet.”
“Thus, the strawberries.” I waved my fork at him.
“Yes.”
“Well, I love sweets. So, they won't go to waste.”
“I had a feeling.” He grinned, showing the tips of his fangs.
A shiver went up my spine. A good one. I could imagine those fangs scraping my skin. Right over my nipple. Or my inner thigh. And how would it feel to kiss him? Dangerous? Maybe. But worth it.
“You're staring at me,” Taroc said.
I blinked and refocused on my food. “Sorry.”
“I didn't say I don't like it.”
My stare shot back to him. Taroc's gaze was so hot, I was shocked the tablecloth didn't catch fire. Shit. What was I supposed to do? Did he need to chase me some more? What did Iwantto do? Suddenly, my mind filled with images of Rath, Xae, and Kel. Did I really want another lover? I was so happy with the men I had. Would Taroc be as good for us, as Kel was? Keltyr had turned out to be needed. His humor lightened things that had gotten too heavy. I was a man who liked to laugh, especially now that I could be myself and not hide who I was. Kel had brought the laughter into our love. What would Taroc bring?
“I'm not sure I like the way you're staring at me now,” Taroc said.
I blinked and cleared my throat. “Sorry. This is harder than I expected.”
“What? Having lunch with me?” He grinned.
“No. You know what I mean.”
“Do you feel guilty?” He bit into a strawberry, his sharp teeth slicing through the flesh of the fruit like a knife.
Distracted by the way juice coated his lips, I didn't answer right away. Then I whispered, “No.”
“No?” Taroc's stunning eyes widened.
I cleared my throat and said, “I used to. But Rath and Xae helped me get over it. There's no sense in feeling guilty over something I didn't choose.”
“True. But guilt doesn't always make sense.”
“No, it doesn't,” I paused, another face flashing into my mind. “Maybe I do feel a bit guilty.”
“About what exactly?”
“I've accepted things, and I've decided to make the best of this. I know it's silly to feel guilty about my decision.” I chewed at my bottom lip. “But I feel bad for enjoying myself. As if this should be something I have to endure.”
Taroc snorted. “I hope I'm not someone to be endured.”
“You're not. That's the point. I like being here with you. And I want to focus completely on you while I'm here. I think that's the only way I can do this. But . . .”
“But you can't help thinking about the people you love,” he finished for me. “And so you feel guilty for spending some of our time thinking about them and for spending time away from them with me.”
I made a self-deprecating sound. “Yeah. I'm trying to work through it. And I know I will. But this isn't just about Xaedren, Ratharin, Keltyr, and me. Or even about you and me. It's all the Wraith Lords.”
“Notallof them.” Taroc smirked.
“Yes, all of them. Even those who aren't interested in me are affected by my intimate relationships. They're relying on me to take lovers and do it fast. But as far as guilt goes, I feel guilty about the Lords who are trying to become my lover. I feel as if I may be wasting their time or leading them on. I know they're not all waiting around for me. You certainly didn't.”
Taroc lifted his brows.
I shrugged. “I have eyes.”
