Nik walks in right on cue, and even I have to admit that we did a good job of polishing her.
Threnody practically glows in her special mating dress, an ethereal garment of shimmering pale pink fabric. I’ve braided her hair in an elaborate weave that highlights her delicate facial features, and the makeup she had me use adds to the rosy flush from her impending heat.
I pass Nik on my way out the door, eager to go find something to eat, but he grabs my arm and stops me.
“Are you okay?” he whispers.
“Why is everyone asking me that?” I hiss back. “I’m fine.”
Nik’s brows furrow, and he grips my arm tighter. “You’re sweating, and it’s like sixty degrees in here. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear your body was synching up with Threnody’s. Tell me you’re taking your meds.”
“Like clockwork,” I say, ripping my arm away from him. I rush out the door before he can respond.
Howdarehe insinuate that I’m synching up with that spoiled brat!
I’m distantly aware of Kip and Kaden calling my name behind me, but I ignore them, too. I only need two things right now: food and time to myself.
The beta staff members in the kitchen are sweet. They give me a plate piled high with all kinds of treats. I’ve got driedmeats, a selection of fancy cheeses, fruit, and even some sweets for after.
Back in my room, I devour my haul in minutes. With a full, happy tummy, I lie back on my bed, arms spread, naked as the day I was born and reveling in the breeze from the overhead fan.
Nik doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Sixty degrees, my ass! It’s so freakin’ hot in this mansion. I don’t know how the Donnelly family can stand it. Maybe I’ll go for a swim. Even a heated pool would be cooler than this.
After fishing a suit from my bags, I get dressed and find a fresh towel in the linen closet.
Unfortunately, the pool room isn’t empty when I get there. Dave and Tim Donnelly are both lounging in the water. I don’t mind being around the beta brother, but Dave—Maybe I can skip out before they realize I’m here.
“Hey, there! Mags, right?”
Fuck.
“Uh, hi, Mr. Donnelly. Apologies for intruding. I was just leaving.”
Dave moves fast. He’s out of the pool before I can exit, and his wet arm blocks me from opening the door.
“Please, call me Dave. Mr. Donnelly is my father.”
Oh, God, that joke is older than Clint. “Um, sure. Dave.” I hold the towel between us like a force field and point at his arm. “Like I said, I was about to leave. I didn’t mean to interrupt you two.”
He smiles and steps closer, forcing me to inch back away from the door to avoid contact. “You’re not interrupting anything. Please, join us.”
“I-I couldn’t. I should really go.”
Something in Dave’s expression shifts, and his dark eyes fixate on my chest. “You should really stay.”
Uh oh. I might be in trouble.
Just when I think I might have to risk the whole job by punching Dave, the door to the pool room swings wide open, knocking him to the side.
“Oh, sorry, man!” Kip muscles the door open even farther, revealing Kaden behind him. “We didn’t see you there, Dave. Looks like we’ve got a small party going on here.”
If it wouldn’t encourage Kip, I’d kiss him for rescuing me.
Dave looks back and forth between me and the twins before storming off in a huff.
“Thanks for that, guys.” I lower my voice to keep Tim from overhearing. “He was acting weird. I’m not sure I could have avoided him much longer on my own.”
“What were you doing wandering around by yourself this late in nothing but a swimsuit?”
