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doubtlessly using his height to gawk at her breasts. The instant his fingers released the robe, she overlapped the front and tightened the belt.
    “Better?” He rested his hands on her shoulders, preventing her from moving away. Then she felt a subtle scrape against her scalp as he drew one of the many pins out of her upswept hair. “I want it down.”
    Do you always get what you want? She knew the answer, so she didn’t bother asking the question. Besides, she needed to choose her battles and this wasn’t one worth fighting. He caressed each strand, gently unweaving the intricate pattern Rona had created. Skyla stood still and tried to ignore her racing heart. His fingers brushed along her neck and sneaked inside the robe, making her restless.
    “You’ve formed social alliances with four different men in the past six years.” His fingers pushed into her hair, clasping the strands without actually pulling. “How many entered your body?”
    “Are you going to tell me about each of your lovers?” She tried to look back at him, but his hold on her hair wouldn’t allow her to turn her head.
    “If you like.”
    It wasn’t the answer she’d expected, so she told him what he’d wanted to know. “I’ve had two lovers.”
    “Why did neither of them claim you as mate?” His fingers relaxed, dragging through her hair before he turned her around.
    Apparently, that question was more important to him. Why else would he want to see her face? “I wasn’t genetically compatible with either. The first relationship was a harmless fling. We both knew it wasn’t serious.”
    “And the second?”
    “I thought he was a worthy life partner. He wasn’t my mate, but he had other qualities that I admired. I’d agreed to join with him when my gift warned me of his true nature.”
    His brows arched and blue fire sparked deep in his eyes before he calmed his expression. “What has your gift shown you about me?”
    “Nothing.” She indulged in a challenging smile as she added, “Yet.”
    He made a sound not quite a chuckle then swept his arm toward the bed. “Have a seat and I’ll show you what else I brought.”
    “May we please sit on the couch, sir?” She wanted to avoid the bed for as long as possible.
    “No.” He crossed the small room and sat on the side of the bed. After tugging off his boots and socks, he arranged the pillows against the wall and raised his hand. “Come here.”
    She hesitated, not trusting herself to resist him.
    After swinging his long legs up onto the bed, he scooted back against the pillows. “If I come get you, you’ll lose the robe for the rest of the night.”
    She moved toward him, each step tightening the knot in her belly.
    He took the tray off the nightstand and moved it to the bed beside him.
    “Where am I going to sit?” She motioned toward the tray.
    “Right here.” He spread his legs and patted the mattress between his thighs.
    Touch and tease, he intended to turn every activity into a seduction. “I’m not hungry.” Her stomach growled noisily, branding her a liar.
    Apparently hearing the sound, he smiled. “You forgot to tell your stomach.”
    If she continued to stall, she had no doubt he’d come get her. And she really didn’t want to lose the comfort of the robe. She reached the bed and he caught her wrist, drawing her steadily forward until she had no choice but to join him on the bed. He guided her into position, her butt on the bed between his legs, her legs arched over his thigh. The robe was long enough to cover her legs, but she was literally surrounded by him.
    “Relax. I just want to feed you.”
    For now . “I’m perfectly capable of feeding myself.”
    He uncovered the tray and revealed a variety of finger foods, most of which she didn’t recognize. There was also a decanter filled with what she hoped was Bilarrian blood wine. Named for its rich red color, the spicy beverage was one of her favorites. But where were the glasses? Bending his leg behind