Page 17 of Tomlin

“Are you applying for the job?”

The question came out more breathlessly than she had intended, and the words hung between them in the suddenly silent room.

CHAPTER 9

Yes,Tomlin thought, then immediately corrected himself. Even though his little scholar definitely needed someone to look after her, he wasn’t that person. He couldn’t be that person.

I shouldn’t even be here.He knew he was hovering on the edge of control, but he had been able to control himself. Yes, the mating lines were showing, but there was no one else present to witness them, and she was already aware of his mixed heritage. If they didn’t fade when he left her, they could be concealed under his clothing.

The thought of leaving her caused an almost physical ache, but he would have to leave. He couldn’t take the chance of causing her any harm. He couldn’t bring himself to answer her question out loud, afraid that the truth would spring out. Instead, he shook his head, and focused on preparing a meal for her.

Although the ingredients were not of the quality she deserved, he found the results acceptable, and she ate readily enough. When she was finished, she pushed back the plate and smiled at him.

“If you’re trying to fatten me up, I should warn you that I have a very fast metabolism. It’s extremely unlikely that I’ll gain weight.”

“Why would I wish you to gain weight?”

“Most men seem to prefer women with more curves.”

“You are perfect exactly the way you are.”

The words popped out before he could help himself. A faint tinge of pink rose to her cheeks as she shook her head.

“You don’t need to worry about pandering to my ego. I accepted my plainness a long time ago.” She shrugged. “And it doesn’t really matter. My mind is what matters.”

“Of course your intelligence is important, as is your spirit. But there is nothing lacking in your physical appearance. You have an elegant bone structure, and you move gracefully. Your hair is the warm color of leaves in the autumn. And your eyes are like dark molten amber, warm and inviting.”

She looked so startled that he almost laughed, but then the pink in her cheeks intensified, and she dropped her lashes to conceal her eyes.

“You’re very sweet.”

“I’m not sweet.”

The words came out harsher than he’d intended, and she looked up again, her eyes wide.

“That wasn’t an insult.”

“You assume that I am speaking falsehoods to pacify you. That is an insult.”

Once again, their eyes met, and the pull between them was even stronger this time.

Claim her, his Krythian side demanded, but he ignored it.

“I’m willing to believe that you’re speaking the truth as you see it.” There was the faintest tremor in her voice. “But perhaps not everyone sees it the same way.”

“Then they are fools.”

Without waiting for a response, he removed her empty plate and set about restoring the kitchen to its previous pristine order. When he couldn’t find anything else that needed to be done, he reluctantly returned to the table.

She was still sitting there, watching him thoughtfully. Although her perceptive gaze concerned him, there was something soothing about her silence. She didn’t seem to feel the need for unnecessary conversation. A pleasant change from most humans.

“You never responded to my proposition,” she said, as he sat down. “Are you willing to experiment with me?”

“I… cannot.”

“What do you mean? You seem to be physically capable.” Her eyes widened again. “Unless your race is like that all the time?”

She cast a curious glance towards his lap, and he found himself grateful that the table was between them and she couldn’t see his cock respond.

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