Page 14 of Just a Bit Captivated

Maybe it did.

“Hmm,” Aiden said, drumming his fingers thoughtfully.

“Stop groping me.”

Startled, Aiden looked down. His fingers were on Zain’s—very hard—stomach.

Snatching his hand away, Aiden flushed. “I wasn’t—I wasn’tgropingyou, you conceited dick! I was thinking.”

“Go think in your room.”

“No.”

Aiden grinned when he heard Zain sigh through his gritted teeth. Seriously, annoying Zain was his favorite thing in the world.

“Can I ask you something?” Aiden said. “How are you so okay with your brother being gay? I thought it was taboo in Islam.”

“I wouldn’t say I’mokaywith it. But I know better than to think it’s something that I can change.”

“But it is taboo in Islam, right?”

Zain finally opened his eyes and regarded him for a moment.“There are many things that are taboo in Islam, including consensual sex between a man and a woman who aren’t married. But realistically, few men remain virgins until marriage—unless they marry very early. I’m certainly not a virgin. I may not be happy about Gadiel’s behavior, but shunning my brother for doing something taboo would be the height of hypocrisy.”

I’m certainly not a virgin.

Wetting his lips, Aiden glanced at Zain’s virile, strong body. He didn’t doubt that for a moment. A man like this wouldn’t be a virgin. Women of every religion, age, and race probably flocked to him.

“That’s surprisingly reasonable of you,” Aiden said.

Zain’s eyes narrowed.“Surprisingly? Just because I’m a Muslim?”

“Because you’re a dick,” Aiden said, huffing.“Don’t bring religion and prejudice into it. I have nothing against Islam. I’m not religious myself, but I’m a firm believer that everyone should believe what they want to believe. I didn’t expect you to be reasonable because normally you act like you know better than everyone else.”

“I’m many things, but I try not to be a hypocrite,” Zain said, closing his eyes again. His lips curled into something unamused. “By Muslim standards, I’m a sinner of the worst kind. I’ve done enough to end up in Jahannam in the afterlife.”

Aiden looked at him curiously.“And it doesn’t bother you?”

Zain gave a sleepy shrug.“Sometimes it does, but I’m not the most devoted Muslim out there. I’m not a firm believer in everything the Quran says. My religious education was… spotty at best. Let’s just say I was disillusioned early about the necessity of following everything the Quran says. Children learn by example.”

Aiden stared at him, now burning with curiosity. “What do you mean?”

“I thought you were here to learn about Gadiel, not me,” Zain said, very dryly.“I’m going back to sleep. If you don’t leave within the next fifteen seconds, you’ll be locked up in your room again.”

Aiden didn’t want to go yet. He wanted to stay. He wanted—needed—to learn more about this man, because… “know thy enemy” and all that. “That wouldn’t be very fair, would it? When I’m just following your orders and trying to learn stuff about your brother in order to become the perfect little sex pet of his dreams?”

“Five seconds now. And stop saying those words.”

“But I’m beingcooperativehere! Hey!”

He was hauled off the bed and unceremoniously dropped on the floor of the corridor again.

“Ouch! My butt hurts,” Aiden complained, rubbing his abused assand scowling up at Zain.

The bastard gave him an unimpressed look, somehow managing to look impossibly superior despite wearing only a pair of black boxers, his dark hair rumpled from sleep. “Say thank you.”

Tearing his envious gaze from his tall, powerful body, Aiden blinked up at him, utterly confused. “What?”

Dark eyebrows lifted slightly.“I don’t make empty threats. If you were still in my room, I would have been forced to follow through and lock you up again. So say thank you.”

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