Page 35 of Entranced By the Basilisks

“I am. I didn’t ask for this,” I say.

“I know. We will have to tread carefully as we gather our intel.” Ari glances at Jasper, who nods.

The rest of dinner passes without more alarming commentary onbreedingpurposes. Ma and Ari discuss the certain type of goods he sells and he regales us with a story of the time a client wanted to contract him to sell a collection of crystal cock sculptures.

“Please tell me these were sculptures of roosters,” I say, torn between dying of embarrassment at my mother’s cackles and letting my own laugh escape.

Ari’s mouth compresses as if to keep in his own mirth. “Very phallic-like roosters. One even functioned as a flute.”

I can’t hold in my laugh at that and Ari beams at me. I look at Jasper and his golden eyes catch hold of me again.

Throughout our interactions, Ari turns his intensity on and off to whatever fits his purpose. I’ve known him for less than a day and I already can identify just how strategic he is in every moment. Jasper though, Jasper’s gaze is a snare I never expect. He’s intense and direct and I’m finding I like it.

I don’t know why he’s staring at me though,I say to myself even as the skin of my throat tingles from the memory of his grip.

Jasper’s gaze breaks its hold on me and he looks to Ari. “Well, did you help him sell them?”

Ari’s lips crook. “How could I turn away such masterpieces? Luckily, I was able to sell the collection all at once. Otherwise, my storehouse would have been all cocked up.”

Jasper snorts softly and takes a drink to hide his smile.

Ma shakes her head. “I’m sure it wouldn’t have been the first time.”

“Ma!” I exclaim.

Ari’s eyes widen in surprise and innocence. “I beg your pardon?”

There’s a teasing glint in Ma’s eyes. “Who wants to take bets that you’ve unwittingly aided in one of thosesculpturesending up in the emergency room for removal?”

Ari clears his throat. “I bear no responsibility for what people do withdecorations. And some of them were honestly for decoration. What else would you do with something the girth of a dinner plate?”

Ma’s brows wing up. “Where there’s a will…”

“Ma!” I’m laughing too hard to really keep her in line, not that I could.

Ari lifts his glass in a toast, his head shaking. “Touché.”

The silliness of the discourse has the tension stringing my muscles tight relaxing. I don’t even mind the passing hiss of a hidden snake. Slowly, I’m adapting to this new situation.

My new equilibrium stays with me for the rest of dinner until I start packing a bag while the guys clean up the kitchen with Ma supervising. My hands shake a little and I try to take deep breaths.

Inhale.This will all work out. This is new, but new doesn’t mean bad.Exhale. Jasper and Ari are invested in helping me. Somehow the thought of the two of them calms the race of my heart. It’s a weird reaction to two men I don’t know well, but I’ll take it.

Okay, time for a new adventure.I open my suitcase on my bed and start stacking some outfits. The majority of them are black, but I’m not bothered. Black is my favorite color for clothing. It may have started as a way to fade into the background, but now it’s as much of a statement. It’s bold and always matches what makeup I choose.

I don’t even want to contemplate what my face looks like after the day I’ve had. We’ll see just how waterproof my brand of mascara really is.

I drop in my favorite red heels and some running shoes to be sensible before adding other essentials. I turn to start the process of picking out what makeup I’ll bring with me when the sight of Ari in the doorway has me jumping.

“Sorry!” he says. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I was just distracted by those sexy shoes.”

I catch my breath from my mini heart attack and lift my brow at the pretty lace pantiescoveringmy red heels. I roll my eyes. “Yes. Of course theshoesare what distracted you.”

Ari’s gaze travels around my room, from my cluttered bookshelf to the cluster of houseplants around the room and the twinkle lights over my bed.

It’s a cluttered space, but I love it.

“I’ll be done soon,” I say as a way to avoid being awkward.

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