Page 24 of Dancing for the Minotaur

His words made every hair on Terra's arms stand on end. Somehow, it hadn’t bothered her when Taurex had called her by her real name, but she didn’t like finding out that Orlov knew her real name–didn’t like it one bit.

When Taurex had called her Terra in the VIP lounge, something inside her had gone warm and soft. Hearing Orlov say it made her feel cold.

“How do you know my name?” she demanded.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached out and caught a strand of her long blonde wig between his fingers.

“Blonde doesn't suit you nearly as well as your real hair.”

Terra jerked away, her heart slamming against her ribs.

“You've seen my real hair?”

His smug smile had widened.

“Of course.”

“Where?” Terra demanded.

Orlov laughed–a high pitched chuckle that put her nerves on edge.

“You look much prettier without all that makeup, too.”

A sick feeling rose in Terra's throat. She reached for the curtain, but Orlov caught her wrist.

“Let go of me!” she demanded.

“Why are you frightened?” he asked. “You should not fear me–I can be a kind owner.”

Terra lifted her chin.

“I'm not frightened–I'm pissed off. Now let me go.”

Instead of releasing her, his thumb began stroking the inside of her wrist.

“But why should I let go of my Bunny?”

Terra hated the slow, intimate movement. His cold fingers made her skin crawl.

“Let me go!” she demanded again.

“Your skin is very soft,” he murmured. “I wonder if you are soft all over, my little Bunny.”

She yanked her arm, but his grip tightened.

“Let. Me. Go.” The words came out in a snarl. Terra actually bared her teeth at him. She was beginning to feel frantic. If he didn’t stop touching her, she was going to go off on him!

For several seconds Orlov simply looked at her. Then, finally, he released her.

Terra stumbled backward a step, breathing hard.

“That is it. I'm done.” She started toward the curtain again, but Orlov’s voice stopped her cold.

“I saw Cody yesterday.”

Everything inside her froze and Terra turned slowly.

“What did you say?”