I don’t like this guy.“So, what brings you here?”How soon will you be leaving?
“I often come toOkronfor business.” Did his chuckle sound conspiratorial? “Today, I came to see you.”
“Me? Why? What for?” She met her sister’s curious gaze.I don’t know what he’s talking about!she tried to signal telepathically.He had no way of knowing I’d be here.I didn’t know I’d be here.
“You and I have some unfinished business…involving our good friend Falkor.”
“First of all, Falkor is myhusband. Second—”
“Second, perhaps we should discuss this in private,” he said. “Unless you wish to discusspersonalmatters in front of your sister.”
“You and I have nopersonalmatters to discuss. Talk to my husband. I accompany him, but that’s all I do.” She tried to signal company matters had to be taken up with Falkor without admitting he was running a business. She helped him out, gave her opinion, and accompanied him on his trips, but she didn’t make the decisions.
“Which is what we need to speak about,” he persisted. “If we could step into the hallway. It will only take a moment.” He motioned toward the corridor leading to the café’s service entrance.
She swatted at a pesky drone buzzing in front of their table. Why did they allow those things in here? It was almost as annoying as Soton. She hated to be rude, but he refused to take no for an answer.
People were staring in their direction. Kismet watched avidly. There’d be questions to answer later.
“Fine,” she agreed, so she could speak freely and get rid of him. “This won’t take long,” she said to Kismet.
Why did the king care so much if Falkor worked? Work was a positive thing! How could gainful employment and owning a business cause more of a scandal than carousing and womanizing?
In the hall, she crossed her arms. “Okay, what is it?”
Shouts and banging came from the kitchen on the other side of the wall. Then acrash, followed by cursing.Oopsie! Somebody’s lunch will be delayed.
“You’re beautiful when you smile,” Soton said. “More beautiful.”
Her face tightened. What did one say to an unwelcome compliment? He put her at odds with the courtesy she’d been taught, put her between a rock and a hard place. Kaldoronics was her husband’s dream. It meant everything to him. Being rude to his partner ran the risk of disrupting the smooth operation of the company, but she in no way wished to encourage Soton’s advances. Unfortunately, she had a hunch even a curtthankswould be taken as encouragement.
“Anything business related needs to be taken up withmy husband,” she said.
A waiter emerged from the kitchen with a loaded tray. Giving him room to pass, Soton stepped closer, resting his hand on the wall by her head. Sickeningly sweet breath wafted across her face.Good Goddess, he’s not going to kiss me, is he?She averted her head and raised her hands to ward him off.
“This isn’t business, it’s personal.”
The server disappeared into the dining room.
But, rather than move away, Soton leaned in closer.
“Stop it. Right now.” She gave him a hard shove and ducked out of range. “I’m going back to my sister. Falkor is your friend!”She moved to go around him, but he planted himself in her path. “Get out of my way.”
“We have chemistry. Why are you afraid to admit it? It could be so good between us.” His voice was lascivious, his gaze hot.
“We do not have chemistry!” Her jaw dropped at the blatant sexual harassment. “We’re done.”I never should have come here. I knew he was a snake. “I’m going to tell Falkor about this.”
“You’d hurt him like that?”
“He needs to know what kind of man you are.”
“What? You can’t blame me. You gave me the come-on. You were checking me out the moment we met. I could tell you and Falkor weren’t really a couple.”
“You’re insane! I don’t know what your game is, but I’m going to tell my husband.”
“Are you sure he’ll believe you? He and I have been friends for years—far longer than you’ve been married. He can’t run the business without me.”
“I’m still his wife. He loves me.”
