A second cloth found its way into her hand. Odd, she hadn’t heard the faucet running.
“Wipe your face and brush your teeth. I will call into work for you.”
“I can’t miss, Luc. Sal is strict and a bit of an ass if we’re being honest.”
He tilted her chin to meet his gaze. “You are not to worry. Salvokos shall allow you all the time you need.”
She swallowed her grief and nodded. “Thank you.”
His gaze dipped to her lips. It was as if he caressed her mouth, and heat shot through her body. Her breath caught and held as she wondered if today would be the day he kissed her again. Most likely not since her mouth reeked of vomit. Who really found red-faced, puffy-eyed women attractive?
He straightened from his kneeling position and pulled her to her feet. For a long, silent moment, he studied her.
“You are truly beautiful, Nadia,” he said softly, eyes alight with a soft glow.
She became lost in their depths and barely heard the rest.
“Unspoiled, innocent. A sinful man’s dream.”
Nadia shivered. Hesitating briefly, she gave in to the impulse and brushed his jaw.
“No, Luc. You’re the beautiful one.”
A smile transformed his features, making him appear almost mischievous. “Men are rugged or handsome. Beautiful is not an acceptable word for a male.”
When she would have argued, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Rest.”
Darkness descended, and she knew no more.
* * *
Luc scooped Nadia into his arms, taking pleasure in holding her. Always, he delighted in the forbidden, and his triscelene ranked as the highest forbidden fruit in existence.
His gaze traveled over her pale features and even paler hair. Stark, silvery white was usually reserved for albinos or the elderly. Yet, a recessive gene graced her with those silky tresses he admired. Of course, he was privy to the origin of the genes.
As it stood, Nadia’s soul was up for grabs and could be used as a weapon for good or evil, depending on whose side she ultimately chose. Luc intended the side to be his. He’d hoped to have more time to seduce her and secure her undying loyalty, but last night’s slaying altered the plan.
The war had begun. Michael may not have been the one to murder Dinathial and Raziel, but he’d made it clear he would kill Nadia without a second thought.
Now Luc was forced to alter his own timeline.
As he strode with Nadia to her bedroom, her feline guardian once again made her displeasure known with a whining growl.
“You know who I am and what I can do, Ariel,” he warned in their native tongue. “Move aside.”
“You will not take advantage of her in this state.”
For the count of five, the cat stood her ground.
“She loves you, and for that reason, I won’t smite you. But do not push your luck, little angel.”
“Promise.”
“Fine. I promise. Now move!”
Ariel decided discretion was assuredly the better part of valor and vacated the bed.
Luc gently placed Nadia on the mattress and smoothed back the wayward strands of hair from her temple. The hell of it was, he actually liked her. She was smart. Spunky. To say nothing of her beauty.
