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Chapter One
Polly checked Loki’s schedule and then left her phone with her folded robe as she wrapped a piece of white muslin around her and headed to the onsen. Loki and Minoru were both leaning back in a grotto, talking about business.
Polly’s hair was up, her skin was clean, and she removed the wrap as she stepped into the water. The bath attendant took it as Polly floated deeper into the pool. Attending the hot spring had been an order by Loki’s business partner, so she was visible but not close enough to interfere with their discussions.
The attendant brought a floating tray with sake, tea, and water. It was set for three, and Polly took the hint. She floated the tray over to Loki and Minoru. The hotelier gave her a dismissive glance, so she poured him a cup of sake and handed it to him. He took it, and she did the same for Loki but with chilled green tea.
She floated up against the wall of the grotto and only came out when it was necessary for the next pour.
After half an hour, she swayed a little. Loki said, “Polly, we are good. Go lie down. We have more meetings tomorrow.”
She nodded, checked the tray, bowed slightly to Minoru, and he gave her a tense nod. “Miss Polly.”
She turned and moved through the warm water, stepping out of the spring. When she was still waist-deep in the water, there was a low growl, and she was wrapped in the arms of an alpha who had his nose buried in her hair. The attendant was shocked. Polly gave her a calm look and shook her head.
The other woman backed away with her head down.
“Mr. Minoru, while I can appreciate the hug, it is a little startling.”
His rumbled words were so low, she could feel them more than hear them when he murmured, “You are marked for me.”
“The claw marks? They are kinda big. They showed up on our last business trip.”
He sniffed along her neck and behind her ears. “I can smell you now. You block your scent?”
“Yeah. Safer when travelling.”
“You are sweating.”
“The pool is a little warm for me.” She swallowed and then took in the fact that he was pressed against her from neck to knees, erect, but obviously felt chatty. “So, your... other half makes those marks?”
“He does. He is very pleased that you have come to us.”
“Um, Loki came to you. I just travel with him. This isn’t going to get weird, is it?”
He dragged his tongue up her neck. “Define weird.”
“One of the richest hoteliers on two continents is licking my neck. I am not going to make any sudden movements.”
He chuckled and sighed. “Your skin is so soft.”
“It’s wet. I am turning into soup. I am dry and scaly when I am running around normally.”
“Are you trying to dissuade me?”
“Oh, I would never try to get between an alpha and his prey. I am just hoping to find someone to shove between me and him.” She murmured, “I don’t have to outrun him, just them.”
He chuckled and licked her neck again. “Oh, my kind will track a little treasure like you down. We will tear right through the bait to our prey. And such lovely prey you are.”
She muttered as astonishingly long nails lifted her head. “I went from annoying servant to lovely prey?”
He drew a deadly nail down her neck and licked the mark. She whimpered, and he paused, lifting his head. “I am so sorry, miss. I didn’t mean to scratch you. Are you all right?”
She tensed and slammed her head back into his nose as she jerked her heel up between his thighs, and he splashed back. She grabbed a robe and pulled it around her shoulders, looking back at him to see the blood coursing from his nose and into the pool. She wasn’t even to the door before she knew that that move would cost her.
Polly sat in her room and finished confirming the payment and arrangements. Loki came in and sighed. “You know that it is going to hit the fan.”
She nodded. “I know. I am making an appointment with him in two hours. I am going to grovel.”
