Page 30 of A Delicate Conquest

Had being alive ever felt so torturous and yet… so good?

All of his senses were heightened. His vision was more acute, his hearing sharper, his sense of smell…

Thatwas off the charts.

She smelled so good he could devour her very essence. Eventually, he would, but for now…

Why not just enjoy the tension? After all, he would probably never experience this again.

Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to.

Mavrel walked alongside Bea, taking her along a lesser-used route toward the great chamber where the cultural event was being held.

He hadn’t planned on attending. Large gatherings weren’t really his thing, especially when humans were involved, but now he was relishing the prospect.

After all, he had the most gorgeous creature in the Universe at his side, and she had come willingly. Part of him couldn’t wait to see the reactions of the others—the surprise and perhaps even envy.

Yes, he could be petty like that.

That’s why he was glad they were entering together—so there would be no question whatsoever that she washis.

Unable to help himself, he stole a glance at her from the corner of his eye. His gaze traveled down the smooth, shimmering planes of her face, along the elegant column of her neck, over the tantalizingly smooth crest of her bare shoulder, which he just wanted to plant his lips upon.

She noticed.

She looked up, meeting his gaze.

She didn’t flinch, didn’t look away.

Her eyes widened. Her long, dark eyelashes fluttered. Her full, glistening lips parted.

Oh, Goddess.

Dideverythingabout her have to be so infernally arousing?

Now, he couldn’t say a word because she was looking at him likethat.

Her lips began to move. There was a slight lag before his brain registered what she was saying.

“So, Mavrel. It’s been a little while since you and I last met. It wasn’t the best of circumstances, but I have to admit, you being there made the situation a whole lot more bearable.”

“Hm.” He carefully concealed his surprise. It hadn’t occurred to him that he’d had such an effect on her. “You’re not resentful for what occurred?”

She laughed, her voice low and throaty, driving him a little more insane. “Not at all. I thought your approach was very reasonable, you and your commander being who you are. It’s my former boss who was behaving unrealistically, and then for him to create that stupid hostage situation…” Her jaw tensed. “I’m still angry about that.”

Her anger reverberated into Mavrel, and he suddenly felt outraged on her behalf to the point where he could easily go after that human called Garner and make his life so miserable he would wish he was dead. “You lost your job, did you not?”

“I quit. After what happened, anyone could see the writing on the wall. Garner’s probably going to declare bankruptcy and phoenix his company. Part of me was looking for an excuse to quit, anyway. I only stayed as long as I did because of Clarissa and a few other people.”

How fascinating. She held no grudge or anger against him or Jerik. She’d simply accepted the situation and adjusted accordingly.

“I will ensure that you’re compensated adequately for the inconvenience,” Mavrel declared. He reallydidfeel bad that Jerik’s sudden operation to find his mate had resulted in such disruption to Bea’s existence.

She smiled and waved her hand in the air, her crimson-painted nails glistening like tiny gems. “Don’t worry about it. I always make plans for things like this. I have savings, and Ialready have a few opportunities lined up. I’ll be fine. Besides, it’s a little too early for me to be accepting such a generous offering from you, isn’t it? I don’t want to compromise myself so early in the game.”

Her tone was playful, confident, and impossibly sexy.

How could she be so certain of herself when she was in foreign territory—where he held all the advantage?

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