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“Vale is very smart, but he is not a reader of fiction. Everyone knows horses prefer nonfiction.”
“There is that.” His wizard-black gaze simmered with some heated thought. “I saw that you had many books by Lady Stewart in your tower room, back at House Elal. When I asked for the bookseller’s newest books, hoping maybe you hadn’t read them yet, I recognized the name. You haven’t already read it, have you?” He looked momentarily stricken.
“No, which makes the gift even more delicious, but even if I had already read it, I would’ve enjoyed rereading it. So, thank you—for the books, the clothes, the embroidery silks… everything. You thought of everything.” She’d repeated herself, sounding like an idiot in the wealth of emotion.
“Surely noteverything,” he replied softly, with a quirk of a smile, but not laughing at her. “But I hoped to supply at least a few things that might bring you a measure of happiness.”
The man was impossible. “You don’t need to be concerned about my happiness,” she said, waving the book at him wildly, losing her good intentions in her frustration.
“I disagree.” He gazed at her steadily, immovable as a rock.
“What is this, Gabriel?” she asked.
He looked from her to the book and back. “Is that a trick question? I’m sticking with ‘a book’ as my answer.”
“Why are you giving me gifts? Why are you being so…” She couldn’t articulate all of the aggravating things he was being, how he was eroding her defenses, deepening her Fascination, and turning it into… She ended up finishing in a strangled sound of frustration.
“I’m courting you,” he explained patiently. “In Meresin, if we find a person we want to marry, we give them gifts to please them. I suppose it’s also a more primitive urge, demonstrating that we can and will provide a good life for our prospective spouse.”
“Gabriel!” She made an epithet of his name, glaring at him in impotent exasperation. “How many times must I explain this? I am already yours. You don’t need to convince me of anything.”
“Now there, you are unequivocally wrong—and you’re lying to me again.” He sounded more weary than angry. “How can we get anywhere if we’re not honest with each other? Especially about this.”
She clutched the book in both hands, not sure if she wanted to hit him over the head with it or fling herself into his arms. Possibly both, except the book would get wet. “What do you want from me?” she asked instead of answering his impossible question, hearing the plaintive tone in her own voice.
“I think you know that perfectly well,” he replied, finishing his wine. “I’ll get out so you can begin your long, leisurely soak with your new book.”
“No, stay. I didn’t mean to truncate your bath.”
“If I stay in here any longer, I’ll fall asleep,” he said with a wry smile. “So far your prescription is right on track. The nap is next—and inevitable. Go gather your supplies, and I’ll get out.”
“No.” She set the book aside where it would stay nicely dry and picked up a fluffy towel. “I’m here already, so I might as well help you dry off.” She eyed the pile of bandages on the floor. “And I should check your wounds. How do they feel?”
“The hot water burned like fire,” he admitted, “but they’re better. I can deal with them myself.”
“On your back? I don’t think so. Get out, then.” She paused, considering, then gave him a seductive smile. “Unless you’d like me to get in?”
“I absolutely do not want you to do that.” He looked away from her, and she wrestled the twin stings of disappointment and rejection. She waited, but he didn’t move.
“Did you change your mind?” she finally asked.
He flashed her a look of irritation, black eyes chilly with it. “No, I’m waiting for you to leave so I can have some privacy.”
“I’ve seen you naked before,” she pointed out.
“That doesn’t mean I want you to see me naked now.”
“Do you want me to turn my back?”
“You’re not going to leave, are you?”
“I can step out and come back, but I really should check your wounds.” She indicated the pot of Inytta’s healing salve. “You were clearly thinking along the same lines. It’s pure stubborn foolishness to—”
“Fine,” he gritted out, interrupting her. “Turn your back.”
Suppressing a smile, she did. Nothing stopped her from watching him in one of the many fine mirrors in the elegant bathing chamber. House Byssan did excellent work, and Gabriel’s reflection shone as true as life—clearly revealing his erection before he snatched a towel to wrap around his hips.Oh ho!Not so uninterested in her offer after all. And yet he’d still refused.Hmm.
He turned his back to her and perched on a vanity chair, spine stiff. “All right, you can look.”
