Page 12 of King’s Kismet

“And a warm body in my bed,” I repeated. “If it’s yours, preferably covered in blood.”

This was why I loathed dealing with humans. At least half the population, anyway. They had no impulse control, and when it came to their thoughts, they were twice as hard to block out because they didn’t know how to protect their minds.

“What did you say?” the man asked, shallow wrinkles forming as he furrowed his brow.

“All right,” York drawled, stepping in front of me. “We’ll wait for the lady to return. She’s been more than enough help.”

“Craig, what are you doing?” the woman admonished as she stepped out of the office. Then she turned to me, shoving a cordless phone into my hand. “Here.”

I tipped my head at her as I held the receiver near my ear. “Hello?”

“Hello,” an older man responded. “My granddaughter tells me there’s some misunderstanding going on.”

“Not at all, sir,” I cajoled. “I’d like to schedule a meeting with you.”

“What for?” he inquired, a deep southern accent tinting his curiosity.

“I have a business deal you’ll want to consider.”

Before the Harem

York had told me he loved me too many times to count since we’d been together, but I had never been ready to say it back. I couldn’t bring myself to confess the feelings aloud, even though I’d known for weeks now.

Months, really.

Normally, I tried to stay out of his head. Tonight, that task was nearly impossible. His thoughts practically assaulted me from across the small kitchen table. And his gaze constantly sought me out, intently observing me while we ate our dinner.

The words continued rolling across his mind. He wanted to say them again, but he didn’t want to make me feel pressured to say them back. He knew how I felt, so he would wait until I was ready.

I slowly set my fork down, biting my lip while he was lost in his spiraling thoughts.

He picked up his glass of water, and I admired the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed. Just watching him move was one of my favorite things about him. The natural way he interacted with his environment was hypnotizing.

The words slipped from my lips, uninvited but every ounce the truth of my feelings.

“I love you.”

York spluttered, spitting water all over the table. I grinned at him, my chest tightening as I simultaneously laughed and panicked.

“What did you say?” he asked before coughing.

I picked my fork back up, pushing the vegetables around on my plate. My appetite fled, leaving me with nothing but terror. This was the first time I’d ever told anyone I loved them… Other than Jack and my family. And they didn’t count for obvious reasons.

“Sweetheart?” he prompted, drawing my attention.

“Hmm?”

York smiled, then straightened his lips as he whispered, “What did you just say?”

“How was your day?” I asked, nibbling on an overcooked carrot.

“That’s not what you said.”

I shrugged. “I think I’m going to call my new SUV Rebecca.”

“No,” he drawled.

“What’s wrong with that name?” I countered, rolling my eyes. “You’ve shot all my other options down, and I’m telling you that beauty is female. There’s no way I’m naming it—”