CHAPTER SIX
KOBRIK
Kenzie is fire, hekka drops, and temptation, through and through. The need to be inside her magnifies without warning. Pure animal lust courses through me, and I’m not sure how long I can control myself, especially as I snap my mag-cuffs on her. Once she put that image in my head, I couldn’t get it out.
When the magcuff locks around her wrists, her eyes widen in shock. And fear.
Immediately, I unlock the cuffs with my fingerprint. “I don’t abuse my prisoners.”
“Prisoner?” she asks, rubbing her wrists. “I’m a prisoner?”
Drekk, this is going all wrong. I only meant to show her I am willing to give her whatever she needs. I scrub my face, seeking the words.
“You asked earlier what I would do to a female prisoner. I’ve never had one. But I think I’d ask her questions first, to understand her weaknesses and strengths, then use them against her. Know this, Kenzie. I’d certainly never harm aninnocent. Or a pleasure mate. The cuffs. You showed an interest in them.”
A smile returns to her lovely face. “I get it. You were being playful.”
“Playful? Yes, this word fits. I would like to play with you, Kenzie.”
“I guess English isn’t your first language, but we’re on the same page.”
We are on cement. In the middle of a street. I reach out with my palm open, waiting for her to come to me.
She reaches toward me, trusting in me. I massage the delicate skin on her wrists, being extra careful not to hurt her.
“I wasn’t expecting you to cuff me. I thought they were for show, as part of your costume. I guess you really are law enforcement.”
“A warrior.”
“Of course,” she agrees with an amused smile.
She still doesn’t believe I’m zyanthan.
“It was my fault for leading you on. I hoped I could entice you to go to the party with me, even if only for a few minutes before you left for work.”
For as much as I’d like to stay here and continue talking with her,touchingher, I must resume my search.
“I will escort you there now.” As we walk, she slides her hand into mine. “Thank you,” I say.
“For what?”
“Forgiving me.”
She stops in front of a building with a lot of noise inside, people wearing masks rushing up and down the steps with drinks in their hands. “I like that you don’t give up, Kobrik. I have this nasty habit of second-guessing myself when it comes to men. Most make me nervous. But not you.”
“You are stronger than you think, Kenzie. You did not panic when I tackled you or when I cuffed you, even though you misunderstood my intent. Most would not stay calm in a similar situation.”
“I work in the E/R of a hospital so I’m used to highly stressful situations. But getting to know a guy, well, I’m not the most trusting. It’s why I don’t date much. You were probably one of those kids who took a lot of chances. The type that spied on the grud, maybe even taunted them into chasing you to draw them away so your buddies could raid whatever they guarded.”
“I spent my days training with knives, learning hand-to-hand combat, and building my stamina. I would never taunt an enemy, but I did not grow up in an occupied territory either. Under similar circumstances, I might have done as you described.” I scrunch my brows. “You said you only saw a grud once. How is this possible?”
“My parents kept me locked inside our house. For years I thought it was because I was too ugly and that they were ashamed of me. My brother got to go outside to play with friends and go to school. He was a handsome kid, witty, coordinated. I was round, clumsy, and socially awkward. Still am. Even working in the E/R, where I meet tons of people, I don’t really fit in.”
I push several loose hairs behind her ear. “You do not see yourself with clear vision. You are beautiful, smart, and personable.”
Her eyebrows raise. “Maybe—” Then she looks away and says, “No, never mind.”
Lightly, I touch her cheek and she turns to me. I see hope in her face. Or maybe that’s my own reflected in her eyes.
