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Harlow’s head swivelled, and she nailed him with a long, unsettling look. ‘Is that right?’
‘Tis, and you know it,’ the man muttered smartly.
Harlow stopped what she was doing and pointed her finger at Kage. ‘Yet another man telling me who I should be and how I should think.’
‘Cept he was wrong, and I’m right.’
Suddenly Harlow felt the same emotion that had consumed her at the restaurant wash over her again. She was unable to stop the rush of words out of her mouth. ‘Why do you men always claim to be arrogantly right? That’s why I’m done with you all.’
Kage paused mid-beer pull. He cocked an eyebrow in disbelief. ‘All men?’
‘All! I made myself a promise tonight, no men for a very long time.’
‘How long?’ he taunted, his eyes narrowing.
‘As long as it bloody takes. Forever if necessary.’
He gave her a speculative look. ‘You won’t last long,’ he drawled.
‘And how would you know?’
‘Because you’re one hella beautiful woman. You deserve the best loving.’
‘There you go. Judging me and my happiness by my looks.’
‘I wouldn’t dare.’
‘You just did, though. You said I’m -,’ Harlow paused, suddenly nonplussed as she realised the full force of his unexpected compliment. ‘- Beautiful.’
‘That’s coz you are. And smart from the looks of things.’ He settled deeper into the couch, a smirk playing on his lips.
Harlow felt a jumble of emotions. His words were going against the grain of her known experience with men.
‘Means nothing when all I get are assholes in my life!’ she shot back, tamping down the strange rush of an entirely different emotion his words had prompted.
He rolled his misted bottle in his large hand, speaking slowly, deliberately. ‘You just haven’t met the right man.’
She almost choked over the skillet. ‘You’re an arrogant, smug piece of work.’
‘And you’re one sassy, mouthy, feisty, beautiful woman.’
‘Did Selene add ‘insulting me’ to your list of things to do?’
‘Didn’t insult you. Called you beautiful. Those are compliments in my world. As for Selene, she sent me to take care of you. To make sure you get to safety.’
‘I can take care of myself. I’ll find my own passage to Zulu One.’
‘With a blockade above the domes? Good luck.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘See what I mean!?’
He smirked. ‘Just saying it like it is, Harlow.’
He took another pull of his beer, studying her with hooded eyes.
‘This is a bizarre first conversation we’re having,’ she ventured.
‘Indeed,’ he said, low and slow. ‘I’m enjoying it, though.’
