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isn’t a psycho killer, whispered beneath her thoughts.
    “You are not cold,” he said, “and yet you are wearing practically nothing.”
    “I’m wearing a tank top and jean shorts. Perfectly decent attire.”
    “I am attired as Elliea intended.”
    “But—”
    “Lest you forget, I would have your word that you will help me locate a sorcerer at tomorrow’s dawning.”
    Another breeze blew by, and this time she was looking down south. Her cheeks heated.
    “Well?” Jorlan asked. Obviously patience was not one of his virtues.
    “It’s hard to concentrate when you’re—” she searched her mind for the proper word “—waving around like that. For God’s sake cover yourself.”
    He glanced down at his nude form and shrugged, completely unabashed. “The male body is nothing to be ashamed of, katya. Best you become used to mine very quickly.”
    Just what was he implying? That he would never wear clothes in her presence? Or that he planned to make hot, dirty monkey love to her whether she granted permission or not, so she should become accustomed to his size? Either way, he would damn well put on some clothes!
    “I give you my word I’ll take you to a psychic tomorrow. Happy now?”
    “Nay.” His chin tilted to the side, and he worried one hand over his jawbone. His eyes were guarded, waiting. He resembled a man about to encounter a dangerous storm. “Women cannot be trusted to honor their word.”
    Katie snorted. She wanted to ask him why he’d sought her promise at all since he never intended to believe her. She rolled her eyes instead. “You’re lucky I’m feeling gracious, Jordie. I’m going to allow you to live after making such a chauvinistic remark.”
    He frowned.
    She grinned. “Now let’s hustle inside. Unless, of course, you plan to break your word.”
    “Only a dishonorable man would do so. Not I,” he ground out, his tone iron-hard.
    “Really? Well, I believe the deal was that if I gave you my solemn oath to take you to a sorcerer tomorrow…which I did…you would go inside…but there you stand. Hmm, what can that mean?”
    His frown became a fierce scowl.
    Good. She’d made her point, though why she was goading him, she didn’t know. She did know she was beginning to feel safe in his presence. Odd, but true.
    “After you.” She waved him ahead, partly to watch the way his butt moved as he walked, and partly because she didn’t want him behind her. Although, as she followed behind him, she realized she didn’t like the submissive implication that scenario provided.
    He threw her a glance over his shoulder, a wicked gleam darkening his irises to a smoky blue. “Mayhap next time you can return the favor and stroll naked in front of me.”
    Not even if he was dying and that was the only way to save him.
    The closer they came to the house, the more she realized this man was her responsibility. He might taste sweeter than chocolate ice cream on a sizzling hot day. He might be planning to seduce her so she would learn her “proper place.” (That one still had the power to infuriate her.) And he might be a warrior used to control. But she had kissed him. She had set him free, and that meant his well-being, for a while, at least, fell on her shoulders.
    Inside, she watched Jorlan dart about, inspecting the splintered wood, wallpaper samples and tools that were scattered throughout. Katie snatched a paint-splattered sheet from the floor and wrapped it around his shoulders. He didn’t acknowledge her action. Fortunately, his lack of attention didn’t dislodge the sheet.Unfortunately, the colorful linen did little to detract from his masculinity. He could have held a box of tampons in one hand and a purse in the other and still she would not doubt his virility.
    “If we’re from different worlds,” she asked, “how do you know my language?”
    “Think you I could not conquer your primitive language whilst I whiled away the last few centuries?” He sounded angry, offended and