Page 29

Even first thing in the morning, Alaric looks good enough to eat. His long, dark hair is messy in the sexiest way. A beam of morning light illuminates his strong, striking features.

He hesitates. "No, I just…never mind."

We stare at each other. The moment stretches. My heart races.

It feels as if Alaric wants to ask something…but that would be foolish, right? We just met. At the very least, we should wait and see if we feel this connection at the next party in a few months or if we're over it by then. That would be smart. Sensible.

Alaric stares. I stare. Neither of us asks. I tuck my face into his neck to hide my disappointed expression.

"Aww," he teases, rubbing my back. "What's this? So shy now? Where'd my sassy Kitten go?"

"He's tired and needs a nap," I mutter. He laughs.

King Idris reappears soon after, as regal and dignified as ever. If he did spend last night with the young human he's supposedly smitten with, it doesn't show.

My colleagues and I track down scattered items of clothing before returning to the room where we left our bags. The others mock me for walking stiffly even though they're not much better. We wash enough to avoid stinking up the carriage on the ride home, then dress.

Breakfast is served on shining silver trays after the long tables are cleared of empty lube jars and used towels. The stallions chivalrously insist the pleasure workers eat first — because once they descend on the food, it vanishes quickly.

I'm not hungry. I tell myself it's because I have a belly full of cum and that my loss of appetite is unrelated to my unusually melancholic mood.

The goodbyes my colleagues and I exchange with the centaurs while waiting for our carriage are friendly but brief. Everyone is happy, tired, and ready to go back to sleep. We'll return in a few months anyway. King Idris says he looks forward to seeing me at the next party, so it seems I'm officially "in."

I accept warm goodbyes from Leon, Fallon, Jethro, the captain of the guard…and several other stallions who also bred me last night, apparently. I'll take their word for it. Vincent and Magnus speak to me separately, ignoring each other as if they hadn't woken up embracing. I don't even have the heart to find the humor in it.

Most of the herd has dispersed by the time our carriage arrives at the front gate. Alaric waits to approach me until I am the last one lingering. He shifts from hoof to hoof. For the first time since we arrived yesterday, he seems genuinely uneasy. "Can I talk to you, Kitten? Just for a moment."

My stomach flips. Is he going to warn me not to get the wrong idea…or…? "I'm listening," I rasp.

"Not here." Alaric glances at the people crossing the courtyard as they go about their morning.

I follow him around the side of a small building that smells of leather. He paws the ground uncertainly. It's strange and endearing to see my confident Stud so bashful now, after he shoved his arm in my hole and feasted on my prolapsed ass without a hint of shame.

"So…ah. Hrm. Hmmm," he says.

"Today would be great." I aim for teasing, but my scratchy voice probably sounds harsher than I intend. My pounding heart hasn't slowed.

Alaric drags his hand through his long hair and blows out a breath. "Right. Here's the thing. I know you're here to do a job, and I'm probably being a foolish, naive sap. But I need you to know that I'd like to see you again. Not for work. Just…you."

Before I can answer, he hastily adds, "If this is out of line, say the word, and I'll never mention it again. I promise. I just felt like we…I had to ask."

His gaze is so hopeful and earnest, it makes my head spin. I gape at him in disbelief.

This is exactly what I hoped for…isn't it? Do I really want this? My independence is important to me. Romantic relationships jeopardize that. I like being tied up, not tied down.

Unless…being bound to another person means being tethered, not restrained.

We've barely met, yet I trust Alaric down to my bones. He's sexy, kind, and ridiculous. He safeguards my vulnerability as if I'm already someone he cherishes. Sure, I can take care of myself, so I don't need a partner to look out for me — but fuck, wouldn't it be nice to have someone in my life who would?

Alaric waits, his smile both eager and anxious.

"Yes," I say at last. "That does make you a total sap."

His expression falls.

"I mean…" I smirk, planting one hand on my hip. "For a guy who loves to gossip so much, can you imagine what people will say about us?"

He eyes me warily. "What will they say?"