She lowered her eyes, but his free hand reached out, lifted her chin. “Malin…”
“I know it is a strange thing to consider. But…will you allow me to court you, Surah?” Humor flashed across his face. “We aren’t actually related, youknow.”
“I…Malin.”
“You loveme.”
She froze. “Oh,really?”
His smile was wry. “I know you. I know you love me. If you consider this strange thing I am asking, maybe you can come to love me in a differentway.”
“At least I know you wouldn’t beat me,” shemuttered.
His expression darkened. “Kausar said Geza is trying to marry you off.” His teethsnapped.
Surah sniffed. “He can try. Is this what this is about? You trying to protect me by throwing yourself on the sacrificial matrimonialaltar?”
His eyes flared. “No. I want you.” His hand tightened around her wrist, his thumb caressed her bottom lip. The look he turned on seared her soul, sparked the constant low thrum of desire. She watched as his pupils dilated, the beat in his neck thumping–likely in reaction to her. Sheknewhe must scent herdesire.
“So,” he purred. “Perhaps you’ve already considered the idea. If I hadknown….”
She licked her lips, swallowing, then took a sip of water. “Geza will throw afit.”
“When doesn’t he? May I kissyou?”
“What?” shesqueaked.
His smile was all rogue, all predator. The brother was gone, shredded by the male. Malin leaned forward slowly, teasing her. A murmur of voices, the light touch of a breeze on her neck, the bonk of passing horns of airtrans. Everything froze and faded to thebackground.
The kiss was chaste, just a gentle brush of his lips on hers, a quick nip of his teeth. But when his mouth moved over to her ear, and hewhispered.…
The words he whispered were not chaste atall.
* * *
“What the hell is this?”Geza roared through thephone.
“What?” She wished people would stop calling her atwork.
“I’m looking at the fucking local tabloid,The Stone Lover. That magazine for humanswho—”
“I know what itis.”
“Well, what the hell are you and Malin doingkissing?”
Oh. Well. She wasn’t ready to confront her brother yet. “Don’t be stupid. It’s probably photoshopped. We had lunch, but we weren’t kissing. In public? Me and Malin?” She snorted, glad he couldn’t see her face or hear her rapid heartbeat. “Come on, Geza.Really?”
“Huh. Ok, well, Petru wanted me to set up some courting time withyou.”
“No,thanks.”
“Surah, you know you’re too old to be running aroundunmated?”
“Where is your mate, littlebrother?”
“I am yourPrince.”
“You are anass.”
She disconnected. Grimaced, and messagedMalin.
