Page 50 of Red King

I nod. I don’t know what to say.

“I will be very honest with whomever I end up with.” He shrugs. “I hope for companionship and someone who would be a good mother to my children.”

“That’s sad, Arctic. I thought I was cynical. It looks like I’ve found a rival. You win!” Not so perfect after all, then. None of us is.

“Was your divorce bitter?”

I nod once. I don’t want to talk about it with him or anyone. Especially not with him.

“Shifters don’t divorce. We mate for life. We’re a highly possessive species.”

“Oh!” I frown. “I was under the impression that polygamy was practiced on the island.”

“Not by choice. Never by choice. Females can mate with up to five males. It is encouraged because there are simply not enough females to go around by far. The Tributes who wish to stay will be encouraged to do the same.”

I gasp. “Really? It isn’t something that most humans practice. I doubt there would be any takers. We’ll have to wait and see. What about you?”

“What about me, Paisley?”

“Would you be open to sharing? Is that the plan?”

His eyes seem to darken, reminding me of a stormy sea.

“I don’t share. I would never share.” His voice has dropped a couple of octaves, and the way he is looking at me makes me feel like he is talking about me, which is insane. “I’m too alpha, Paisley. Too seriously fucking possessive to ever let anyone else touch what is mine.”

The way he says the word “mine” has my heart stuttering and my breath hitching. I swallow thickly, the sound reverberating around the room.

“I get it.” I clear my throat because I don’t sound like me. My nipples have gone hard as nails. That heat is pooling between my legs again. How is that sexy?

It is.

His eyes drop to my chest. His jaw tightens, and his nostrils flare as his gaze locks back with mine.

How did this conversation get to this point? This is like no business meeting I have ever attended.

“We’re all set for tonight.” I quickly change the topic. “I’ll be there to observe. Dinner and then speed dating. You should try to stay to the end this time and try to…make a connection with one of the Tributes. You never know; you might surprise yourself.”

“You never know,” he rasps, his eyes impossibly bright.

“If there’s anything else?”

“Were there any meaningful connections made last night?” He steeples his hands on the desk.

“I’d say there were. Three of the women made appointments with Dr. du Pont this morning. I have a feeling it’s for birth control. I can’t divulge who the women are.”

“Of course not. It’s good news.”

“I mean, there are condoms readily available. All the apartments are stocked.”

He nods. “I am aware.”

Of course he is. Once again, I don’t know why I said all of that.

“I need to get back to the clinic. Unless there was something else you wanted to discuss.” I pause. “I’m assuming you looked at the amended itinerary?”

“I did, and I’m happy with where you’re going with the project.”

“When do you want to meet again?” I’m praying he doesn’t say tomorrow. I’m not sure why these meetings are even necessary. Actually, this project is important. That’s why. It has to be.

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