Page 62 of Abandoned Oaths

“Oh, were you expecting someone?” I played dumb to his invisible task force that must have been watching or listening to our conversation.

He grinned. “No. Ama, my house manager, simply knows what I need before I do.”

I eyed the table before raising a brow. “And she just had this all prepared?”

He shrugged. “She’s the best.”

And sneaky. He pulled out a chair for me, and I debated whether I should tie my robe closed or leave it open as he circled the table to sit across from me.

I was here to seduce him, so I shoved down the urge to cover up and picked up the mug of coffee.

“So, Millie . . .”

If he asked me to tell him about myself, I was going to dock him points. Mentally. The idea quickly formed. It would make this mission more fun if I had a scoring system. Keeping track of the weird or terrible things he did would be the perfect reminder of my purpose.

“Do you generally make men stalk you, or are you usually more available?”

I nearly spit out my coffee. “Um, you stalked me?”

He was admitting that?

“I had no choice. This incredibly beautiful woman appeared out of nowhere and not only saw through the bullshit of my enemy but also put me in my place? I was hooked from the second you walked away. A woman rarely leaves me speechless.”

So I was beautiful, mysterious, and alluring. Not too shabby for one interaction where I barely spoke.

He gave me what he must have thought was a sexy smirk. Undeniably, he was good-looking, but he also wasn’t as suave as he thought.

At least I wasn’t having to date Brazzi. That would take better acting skills than I possessed.

Dias’s golden-brown eyes held more warmth than any criminal’s should. When he managed a genuine smile, wrinkles gathered at the corners of those eyes and almost made me forget this was a mission.

Fuck. Objectively, he was hot.

I had to admit it.

He was fitter than I expected too. His exposed arms and legs gave a clearer picture of the body he hid under the well-filled suits I’d seen him wear. A human could never compete with a shifter, but he came close.

Still, my attraction to him was surface level. I should feel butterflies from his attention, but all I could muster was a fake smile. The kind a woman gave a man she wanted, but I didn’t want him. He was the enemy. He was a human. I could never be with him. He was a target. A job.

Just like the guys.

Although I’d never have to fake anything with them.

My attraction to them was instinctual.

But I couldn’t be with them either.

Currently or ever.

I had to focus.

“I didn’t know I was getting between you and an enemy,” I teased. “Is that a lifelong rivalry, or are you two relatively new to hating one another?”

He chuckled. “It’s been a few years. I bought a building he was interested in.”

“It isn’t your fault he didn’t man up in time.”

“Exactly!” He sipped his mimosa and grinned at me over the glass. “He doesn’t like when I point that out.”

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