She shook her head in an odd convulsion of denial. “You’ve lost your damn mind, then.”
“Probably,” he agreed.
She swung her arms out. “We can’t get mated. That’s crazy. We can barely get along.”
“We get along just fine,” he countered. “At least we will after you give me back the information that could destroy my entire family.”
“I’m a thief,” she snapped, very nice color filling her face.
He nodded. “I’d very much like for you to find another profession after we mate. Definitely after we procreate.” There were plenty of legal ways to help other people.
“Procreate?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Theo, you’re an old-fashioned guy.”
“Exactly. Arranged matings are very old fashioned,” he said easily. “I spoke with the queen after she sent me the information. She agrees. The only way for you to survive this is to mate an immortal, and not another witch. You’d poison him, most likely.” He sat up. “Did you know that Brenna Finn mated Connlan Kayrs, the queen’s brother-in-law, for the very same reason? Because of planekite poisoning? A long time ago.” He lowered his chin. “Mating a vampire saved Brenna. It will save you, too.”
* * * *
Ginny couldn’t breathe. Not from the planekite, but from the vampire watching her so intently. He’d dressed in casual jeans and a dark T-shirt for the day, but there was nothing casual about him. Oh, his feet were on the coffee table, and his body was stretched on the sofa, but he was all predator, ready to lunge. She couldfeelthe animal in him. “Theo, you really need to stop and think about this.” Her voice shook, but she couldn’t help it. The mere idea of mating Theo Reese stole her breath and slid heat through her entire body.
“This is your only option for survival. I like the idea of an arranged mating spelled out with a contract,” he said evenly.
Her head jerked up. “I’m sure one of your terms is the damn flash drive.”
“That’s a different deal. If I get your father back, you give me the flash drive.” Theo’s head lifted in an oddly threatening way. “Fair?”
That did sound fair through the buzzing between her ears. What was happening? Theo wanted to mate her? He was the one guy in the universe she hadn’t been able to manipulate. What kind of a mating would that lead to? “You want honesty,” she whispered.
“I demand it.” He cocked his head to the side, studying her. “You need it.”
Oh, he did not get to tell her what she needed. “You don’t trust me.”
“Sure, I do. You tell the truth when you agree to do so.” He leaned forward, his hands clasped between his knees. “And when you lie, I can tell.”
“I don’t like that about you,” she burst out.
He chuckled and stretched to his feet. “I’m sure. But would you really want a mate you could easily manipulate?”
Well, no. She had to admit, she respected the guy. He was smart, strong, and sexy… And he definitely knew how to kiss. But he kept her so damn off-kilter. That couldn’t be good, could it? She shook her head. “Theo, mating might save me. What do you get out of it? We both know you hadn’t planned on mating for a very long time.”
“I’ve already been alive for a very long time,” he countered. “I’m not a heart and flowers type of guy, Gin. Never have been. Both of my brothers are mated, and they’re happy. We’re a family again. A mate fits quite well into my plans.”
Well then. Undying love and all of that. She breathed out. “I-I just don’t know about this.”
He nodded. “I understand, but it’s happening, so get on board.”
Wh-What? She coughed. “Theo.”
“I’m not gonna let you die, sweetheart. It’s that simple.” He pressed a button on the computer, and something sounded from the office next to his massive kitchen. “The king said he’d be happy to negotiate on your behalf. I’ve just printed out my initial offer. Please take a look at it and let me know what you think.”
Fire swept her. “I don’t need anybody to negotiate for me. You want to negotiate? Fine. Let’s do so right now.” The very nerve of the males. Hell. She’d negotiated land deals that had transferred power through dynasties before.
“Okay. My offer is mating and marriage, if you want marriage. No more stealing. We live here for a couple months a year so I can see my family, and anywhere else you might want the rest of the year. I’m a soldier in contract with the Realm, so I might need to leave for work once in a while. My other business interests can be handled from anywhere.” He rolled his neck, his gaze not leaving hers. “I do the fights to the death, and you can do everything else you want. Oh, and I’d like children. Someday.”
There was something almost sweet about his logical approach. Which was why there was only one answer. “No.”
His gaze narrowed. “That wasn’t one of your options.”
She sighed. “I’m not mating for convenience, and I like you way too much to see you do that. There’s too much to life. To passion and maybe love. I’ll take my chances when I get the anklet off.” Her smile came naturally this time. “But thank you for the offer. It means the world to me.” But she needed more. Especially from Theo Reese. That realization hit her so hard she nearly stumbled.
