“You’re disgusting.” Calya gagged. “I don’t fuck my sister’s castoffs.”
“Cast— You can’t be serious? I was fucking other?—”
“Think very carefully before you brag about your infidelities.”
Brint’s mouth snapped shut. It didn’t remain so for long, as a snide expression filled his face. He wiggled the empty Scarlett Kiss still clutched between them. “So, who were you planning on sharing this with?”
“Me,” came Lowe’s voice from behind her.
Brint dropped his hold on the bottle, causing Calya to stumble back a step without the extra resistance. Lowe steadied her, his arm snaking around her shoulders.
“Him?” Brint said, expression torn between disbelief and suspicion. “Really?”
“Yes. Specially negotiated, of course.” She sneered at Brint before turning to face Lowe. “Let’s be clear on a few things. This is a temporary, mutually beneficial arrangement.”
“Noted,” Lowe said. Though he spoke calmly, a benign curve shaping his lips, his gray eyes remained unreadable.
Whether it was the pressure of improvising or the nudging of the Kiss working through her veins, Calya embraced the way it freed her tongue.
She poked Lowe in the chest, a playful haughtiness in her tone as she declared, “You’re contractually obligated to give me at least two orgasms before I even consider sucking your cock.”
Brint laughed nervously. “Oh, Caly, you’re so blunt. I’ve always liked that?—”
“Understood.” Lowe’s fingers grazed her cheek. “Any other demands?”
“Yes. We will not be kissing or cuddling under any circumstances.” Not that the latter had ever held much temptation for her, but best not to take chances when it came to the ranger. Not if she was about to spend the rest of the day and night in a magic-induced heat with the man.
Her eyes slid to Brint, who was staring at them. A touch horrified, but also jealous. She fluttered her fingers at him. “Do you mind? We need to discuss the finer points of our fucking.”
“Gods all— You don’t have to be such a frigid bitch about it,” Brint groused.
Calya smirked. “Why deny my true nature?”
Brint swore again before slinking away. Neither Calya nor Lowe paid him any attention, their eyes locked on each other.
“So, are we agreed?” she said, the few words taking an alarming amount of willpower to come out nonchalant.
The knot of his throat rose and fell. Calya had the sudden urge to lick it. Wondered if he’d let her. What would the ranger smell like after fucking all night?
Calya wet her lips, a zing of pleasure arcing straight to her clit at the way his gaze locked on her mouth. A small, prideful part of her brain warned against him. Against the pull that had already started to form between them, one that would only grow stronger.
Only because you’re denying yourself, the hungry side of her mind supplied. Building the idea of him up in your head. The truth always disappoints. This’ll make it easier to forget him later.
Calya was inclined to agree with her carnal self. This wasn’t fishing for anything serious. Relationships were something she’d done away with years ago. When she wanted a change of pace from her own ministrations, she had a few partners of similar mind that she could call upon. But seeing as none of them were at hand, and a sexy ranger was, why not indulge in what was essentially nothing more than a pleasant way to pass the time?
“Agreed, and I’ll bet I can change your mind.”
“On?”
“Kissing me. Again.” Lowe ran his thumb across her bottom lip. “You seemed to?—”
Calya bit his thumb. Briefly, but hard. “Doubtful.” She smirked up at him. “But you’re welcome to try.”
Lowe’s hand went to the small of her back, and he guided her out of the salon.
Chapter Eight
He’d lost his mind. Nocren could think of no other explanation for his actions. Divining magic could do that to a person; he certainly wouldn’t be the first. The wind and his magic had been obsessed with Calya since the moment their paths crossed. But every time he thought he understood the wind’s intention, reality slapped him in the face.
