Page 112 of Night's Fall
“I’m not unfriendly,” she stated in a straightforward, unemotional, thus mildly unfriendly way. “I’ma cool chick.Butyou’re my responsibility.Itake it seriously.It’smy job to die for you.Sowe are never going to be that.”
“Right,”Irepeated.
Message received.
The doors opened.
I knew the drill and waited while she stepped off.
However, a heavenly smell wafted in, so giving her the three seconds it took for her to return to the lift and jerk her head at me to tell me it was safe to exit was a test of willpowerIcouldn’t believeIbested.
But thenIhitAleksei’spenthouse.
And my whole world fell away.
I learned the low ledge in the living room wasn’t dead space.
Oh no.
The entire length of it was a fireplace, which was now lit with cozily dancing purple flames.
Thousands of pinprick drone lights floated randomly in the air all over the living and dining areas making it look likeAlekseihad welcomed the night into his penthouse.Therest of the lights in that area had been set, at best, to ten percent.Theeffect was soft, peaceful, welcoming, but sophisticated.
Oh, and romantic.
Very, very romantic.
There was full lighting over the kitchen, however, which was an absolute disaster, sharing the intel thatAlekseiwas a messy cook.
There was also a cluster of white tapers in crystal candlesticks, lit and glowing around a squat oval bowl stuffed bloom to bloom with perfect, creamy-white roses.Thisadorned corner seating at the kitchen bar set with black plates, placemats, napkins, shining cutlery and sparkling wineglasses.
Mellow classical music filled the air.
My cats had taken to their luxurious new digs with the haughty entitlement only cats could make work.
I knew this becauseCometwas sitting on a stool at the kitchen bar, just his eyes tall enough to see over it to the food.Hewas quiet for once, openly content, his fluffy tail sweeping along the side of the seat (which made me wonder ifAlekseihad been feeding him scraps).
Nova was curled asleep in an armchair.
AndJupiterwas fully visible, enjoying the heat from the fireplace and his spectacular view, lying hunkered down on his belly on the ledge by the window, his attention to the craft traffic and city lights.
And fromAleksei’soven came the mouthwatering scent of roasting meat.
More mouthwatering, the amazing male standing among all of this, the lights gleaming blue on his jet-black hair, his shoulders strong and wide enough to hold up an entire realm, his eyes, twin nights, aimed at me.
Suddenly and inexplicably, at this reminderIwas being courted by theTrueHeir, who happened to be my fated mate, and just how much effort he was putting into that,Iwas struck shy.
And moved deep to my soul.
To hide that,Iquipped, “Why, your royal highness,Isense you intend to seduce me.”
Standing at the kitchen counter, building a salad, he ordered, “Comehere.”
I went right there.
I mean, what would you do?
I set my bag on the kitchen counter.
