Page 10 of Bound

“Rych! My office!”Fenek barks over the internal intercom.

Rych runs his tongue over his sharp teeth and doesn’t break eye contact with me as he hauls himself upright.

“Until next time, Chrissie,” he says, his voice dripping with wickedness.

I dip my head and stare at my plate. “Maybe,” I say.

Maybe? You live with him. You’re obviously going to see him again, idiot!

By the time I look up, my cheeks red hot at my body’s reaction to him, Rych has gone.

And my plate is empty.

RYCH

I loved the pink spots in her otherwise too pale cheeks. My littleeregriis an absolute spark when she wants to be.

Getting her to eat up, needling her until she reacted—it’s made my cocks uncomfortably hard.

Just like they were this nova-morning when I spotted her watching me from her window. I had to concentrate deeply on my routine or I’d probably have cut something off. To make things worse, there’s no bath in my quarters, only a pipe which sprays water over me, like the hose they used in the dome to deal with Blayn or Klynn.

Even icy cold, it didn’t dampen my desire for Chrissie.

This is going to be a problem. My cocks have never desired anyone before. A combination of herbal drinks and various narcotics got me through the nights where I was sold for pleasure. But this is entirely different and, as I’m starting to understand, completely beyond my control.

I’m supposed to be protecting her and, unfortunately, my annoying boss. Not dreaming of sheathing myself in her wet heat.

“What took you so long?” Fenek fires at me from behind his large desk.

His office is on the side of the dwelling nearest my quarters. Large windows, like all of this place, open up into his yard.

I level my gaze over his shoulder, flicking my wings back and tucking my arms behind me. The two daggers I have installed at my waistband are now obvious.

Fenek swallows as he spots them.

“I was finishing my meal,” I respond. “Food was included in your offer of employment.”

“Yes,” Fenek says, clearing his throat and tapping hurriedly on the vid screen in front of him, “it was.”

“What did you want?” I ask.

“I’ve been asked to attend a business meeting in Artalen, and I will be taking my little songstress. You will accompany her.”

“Just her?” I keep my eyes on the window, watching a bot tending to a clipped piece of topiary, its sharp inbuilt blades buzzing over the foliage with precision.

“I’ll…be going ahead. There are certain aspects I need to deal with before Chrissie gives a concert to my associates.”

“You are not concerned for your safety.”

Fenek leans back in his chair. “I have a high enough profile, gladiator, that when I am abroad, targeting me will be a bad idea. I am safe out in public.”

I do my level best not to let my astonishment show in my face. If I thought my ego was big, Fenek trumps me a thousand times over.

And my ego just took a pricking from a delectable little female who wasn’t impressed with my sword play.

Yet.

“Chrissie, on the other hand, is a different matter. She is precious to me and not as well known. An assassin could easily target her. Which is why you will stay by her side at all times.”

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