Page 19 of Space for More

Eden nods, her skin flushing under Mezli’s radiant attention and suggestive phrasing. “I-I am!”

Mezli grins back at her like she’d love to give her a taste of something alien other than food. She may be forced to want me because of the mate bond, but I can see the raw interest and desire in her eyes as she looks at Eden. A look that Eden returns in her own shy way.

And why wouldn’t she? Mezlitrasta val Frye is the most stunning nexxitxalaI’ve ever had the pleasure to see in person. Which is no small feat, considering the number of Mother’s parties filled with perfectly groomed and sculpted exemplars of nexxit beauty. But Mezli is on a whole other level.

Yet, sitting beside such beauty does nothing to dim Eden’s own allure. Goddess, when I asked her that one lonely night what her body looked like, there was no way in the universe I could haveimagined the human taking a seat across the table from me now. She’s all softness, with her plush belly and spectacular breasts that take all of my willpower not to keep looking at. Inquisitive intelligence gleams in her eyes every time she speaks, a perfect compliment to the shrewd seductiveness that Mezli exudes.

They look perfect together. Perfect and in no need of a mediocrexalarlike me.

The thought dampens my mood significantly. “What do you want from me?” I ask curtly, snapping their attention back to me.

Mezli glares at me and pointedly takes her time to sip her shimmering green cocktail, holding a hand up to Eden to let her know she’ll answer me. “I’m not sure I know what you mean, Lord Nafar. Can’t a girl ask her mate and her colleague to lunch?”

“I was under the impression that I disgusted you,PrincepsFrye.” My cocks twitch when I see her eyes flare with anger when I use her title as well. Dammit, goading her turns me on even when I’m upset. “So, what is it? You want to fuck me? I admit the mating hormones are quite potent. But you have a far more suitable candidate sitting beside you, and I’m not in the habit of sleeping with people that hate me for no good reason. Unless it’s my family name you keep using like an insult that you object to. Which is more than a bit hypocritical don’t you think,Princeps?

Mezli huffs out a humorless laugh. “You thinkthat’swhy I don’t like you? Fuck, you’re more of an egotistical prick than I thought.”

What is that supposed to mean? Suddenly, her biting honesty isn’t as appealing. Some of my anger and pain bleeds through the cracks of calm veneer. “Then what, pray tell, did I do to you that made you run away from your Goddess-given true mate after a handful of hours in their company? Is it my appearance? Because I’m also not in the habit of seeking pity sex fromxalasfar out of my league.”

She scowls. “What? No! I already told you, you’re frustratingly attractive. So solid and… No, dammit, I’m not going to inflate your ego even more!”

“Then why? Why did you leave?” I know I’ve raised my voice far more than is proper for a public setting, but my boiling blood at her maddening behavior keeps me from caring. Fuck staying under control. After four years, I want to knowwhy.

“Because you made it obvious I didn’t measure up to your lofty expectations!”

What in the Goddess’ name is she talking about? I barely said two words to her during that dinner.

Eden’s eyes are as wide as saucers as they bounce back and forth between us, and that’s what draws me back to my senses. Dammit, this isn’t going at all like I’d hoped. I clear my throat and break my staredown with Mezli. “Apologies for my behavior, Dr. Mori.”

“Why are you apologizing toher?! I’m the one you’re being an ass to! I invited you here to try to see if we could start over. But if you’re going to act like just as much of an asshole as you did when we first met, then forget it.” Mezli throws her purse over her shoulder and pushes her chair back with a loud metallic scrape to stand.

My hand darts out to grab her wrist without thinking. She glares down at where our skin touches, but I can see even this small contact is making her burn for me as much as I am for her. Anger wars with lust in her eyes and I use her hesitation to my advantage.

“I’m sorry, Mezli.”

Her eyes widen at my apology. I honestly can’t believe I’m apologizing, either. Then again, I can’t believe most of my behavior since I encountered her and Eden last night. “Please stay. I—I’d verymuch like a chance to try again if I haven’t already made too much of a mess of things.”

I didn’t realize how much I wanted that chance until I said the words aloud. It’d be much easier to let her storm out and go back to shutting myself off from the world. I’m probably making a huge mistake by asking her to stay, but she said she wanted to try to start over. It’d be an even bigger mistake to squander that chance.

She slides her chair back in with a dramatic sigh, pulling her hand away. I let her go despite everything inside me urging me to hold on. “Fine. But only because the food is here and I can’t resist seeing you suffer for your bravado.”

Our server approaches and slides a steaming plate ofskrllptin front of me, then sets down Mezli’s noodle dish. They slam down Eden’sfrechacakes, almost knocking her glass of water over, and both Mezli and I turn to scowl in their direction.

“Sorry,” they grumble, directing their apologetic nod to the wall behind Eden rather than making eye contact.

“What the hell is their problem?” Mezli mutters as they leave. “Do you want me to make a complaint against them? Because I will! I love calling out assholes.” Her gaze lingers on me as she says that last part, a silent challenge glittering in her dark eyes.

“No, it’s fine! I think we’ve had enough drama for one lunch.” Eden smiles tensely at both of us and my stomach sinks with guilt about my inappropriate behavior.

“Again, I’m sorry to both of you for my rudeness. Hopefully, seeing me eat this plate ofskrllptwill be a good enough penance.”

Eden giggles and takes a bite of herfrechacakes. “Seems fair. Oh, wow, these are good!” She takes another bite and lets out a little moan of pleasure that has both myself and Mezli focusing in on her mouth. “What? They are!” she says self-consciously.

“Go on,” Mezli says, turning to level a challenging look at me. “Unless you want me to think of other options for your penance.”

Fuck me, now I do. I could show her just how good I am at appeasing her. I scoop up a large amount of the mashed, deceptively innocuous-looking substance on my plate. Not breaking eye contact with her, I place the spoon in my mouth and swallow, then lick my lips. An immediate sweat breaks out on my brow and it takes all of my willpower not to scramble to douse my throat with water.

“Goodxalar,” Mezli says with a smirk that makes my cocks throb and leak.

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