Page 12 of Seduction in Blood
Seven days to prove to him I was worthy of whatever deed he had planned. One job, and I would be clear of my debt. That seemed too easy.
The knock surprised me, though I'd been expecting it. I glanced at the old clock that ticked away on the mantel above the barren fireplace. I stood and cleared my throat, but my "come in" still sounded raspy.
Lucas entered and, after giving me a quick once over, nodded his acceptance. Glad I made someone happy.
"Devon wasn't sure if you were awake yet. Since you hadn't come down, he asked if you would join him for breakfast." Lucas glanced around the room, maybe checking to make sure I hadn't tied the bed linen together to make an escape. Not that it hadn't crossed my mind, but where would I go that a vampire couldn't find me? Or worse, a hungry pack of wolves if this didn't work out.
"I would have gone down earlier, but I wasn't sure of the house rules." I stood and ran my hands down my slacks. I hadn't worn anything this nice for…well, that didn't matter. I preferred my jeans and black cargo pants.
Lucas laughed. "House rules?" He shrugged. "I suppose there will be one or two for you, considering your position here, but this house isn't nearly as formal as most."
"You mean as most vampire homes?" His statement seemed to have left that part dangling.
He bowed his head then waved an arm toward the door. It was clear he wasn't going to say more, so I strode past him, almost walking out of the short-heeled pumps I'd been given. One size too big. I wasn't going to run away in these. I remembered the way to the kitchen and was almost there when Lucas grabbed my arm and steered me toward another room. Of course, a dining room. I should have known that. When I lived with my mother and Christopher, meals were always taken in the dining room, never the kitchen. If I remembered my previous life, sticking only to the protocols for meals and such, this week would go easier. I could focus on the job, not how to survive breakfast.
When I entered the dining room, Trelane was the only one there. After a quick scan of the wood panels, dark-red carpet, and long banquet table with only two place settings, I walked the length of the table, standing just to the left of him.
He read a newspaper, a phone lying to his right. There was a coffee service but no food.
Trelane glanced up. "There you are. I wasn't sure if you'd already eaten this morning. Do you usually sleep in this late, or are you catching up after the last two days? I can't imagine it was comfortable sleeping in one of those dreadful catch boxes. They're not even fit for shifters."
Two days? What had Sorrento given me? Ginger would be freaked.
He waved a hand for Lucas to leave, then stared at me. "Have a seat." He rose to pour me a cup of coffee. "I wasn't sure how you took your coffee, so I asked Letty to bring cream and sugar."
"Black is fine." After sitting, I took the napkin lying on the plate and draped it over my lap. I scratched at my pants before pulling at the collar of the shirt.
Trelane grimaced. "Those clothes aren't right for you, but it was all we had available on short notice. It also seems the shoes are too large."
How the hell had he noticed that?
He shrugged. "You seem to be shuffling your feet." When one of my brows rose, he shook his head. "I can't read your mind, but it's obvious you're uncomfortable with the clothes. And you didn't have any problems stomping around yesterday in those sneakers of yours." He pointed to his head. "Sensitive hearing." Then, he smiled.
And my stomach did a little flip that irritated the hell out of me. But hell's bells, the man was gorgeous. And those full lips? I glanced around the room, anything to take my eyes off of them. "You have a lot of antiques."
He laughed. "Already scoping the place out. A true thief at heart."
My cheeks heated. "Sorry. I didn't mean…"
He waved a dismissive hand. "Stop. One of the first things you'll need to learn is how to respond to off-handed comments. And how to deflect them. I've arranged time with Anna to go over the more domestic aspects of your training. I'll instruct you on the rest. Between Anna and me, we should have your mannerisms and repertoire, if not perfect, enough to pass muster."
I was too deep into figuring out what he meant about training to realize I'd been insulted. By the time it hit me, Trelane was staring at me.
"Another perfect example. I know you weren't expecting my comment about training. And even as I told you what the training was about, you sat there with your mouth open instead of coming up with a witty remark."
I wondered how he might handle a kick to his midsection. Instead of glowering, as I'd prefer, I kept my expression blank. I might not be a linguist—I knew big words—but I'd learned how to school my emotions many moons ago. Back in the dark days. And in this business, I'd only honed it.
Expecting to see Trelane's renowned temper, he threw back his head and laughed. It was so surprising, and such a sensuous sound, all I could do was marvel at the sparkle in his eyes. They were probably tears of mirth at my expense. Somehow, I didn't mind, which only stoked my irritation.
"Fascinating. I didn't think silence could be better than a smart reply, but you've outdone yourself." He stared at me as if determining whether his little thief might have more value as a mime. He drummed his fingers on the table. "Anything Anna or I can teach you will be icing. There's so much more to do in seven days, and it's not nearly enough time."
I began to squirm under the intensity of his gaze, which changed into something more. I wasn't sure what but felt rattlers in my stomach and smothered them with a nervous laugh. The phrase was something Harlow said whenever he thought a job was going bad.
"I'm not sure I understand what you're expecting me to do." His gaze never left me, and if I didn't know better, he was staring at my lips. Heat rushed through me, and I tried to think of anything that would get my mind off his own lips before my cheeks turned as red as the carpet.
Then, those luscious lips turned into a grimace. "For some time, I've been searching for an artifact. Something stolen from me. I've recently discovered its location but haven't found anyone with the appropriate set of…skills, if you will, for the task. To be honest, I'm not sure you have what it takes either, but you're the closest I've found with the most potential. The timing, however, is…" he shrugged, "unfortunate. That is why I was willing to absorb The Wolf's debt, and yours, if the next seven days prove successful."
Before I could ask more, Letty returned with a large tray that she set on one of the cherrywood side tables. The aroma made my stomach growl, and I lowered my head, not wanting to see Trelane's knowing look. All thoughts of him disappeared when Letty set down a plate teeming with scrambled eggs sticky with cheddar, diced-fried potatoes that smelled of onion and garlic, several slices of crisp bacon, and a gigantic biscuit. I sipped several swallows of coffee before trying the eggs. I closed my eyes in bliss.
