Page 13 of Hair, She Bears
“Delicious.”
“I brought you one other thing.” He gestured to the bag. “Dig deeper.”
Curious, Zenna stuck her hand back into the bag, and her fingers brushed over something cold and metallic. Shock vibrated through her body. She removed her hand from the sack and opened her palm—inside rested the silver heart necklace. Her head whipped up.
“Why would you do this?” she asked, her eyes widening. According to Mother, there was no greater offense than theft. Malik had condemned himself to death.
“It wasn’t his to take.” Leaning forward, Malik lifted the necklace from her hand and fastened it around her neck. His fingers lingered around her throat, drawing soft circles around the bruises left by Mother.
She grabbed Malik’s hands, stilling them, and rose on her knees, leveling her gaze with him.
“Mother will kill you.”
“Are you so concerned for my life? I thought you believed me a liar.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“You have redeemed yourself.” Zenna released him. One fingertip stroked over the charm. “Thank you for returning the necklace, but I don’t understand why you needed to climb up here to give it to me.”
“My father commanded I return to my territory immediately, but I couldn’t leave without…” He sighed and dragged a hand through his shaggy hair. “I’ve been with many women—I have quite a lot of experience in that particular pursuit—but I’ve never had the reaction I did when I kissed you this morning.”
“You want to kiss me goodbye?” she asked, her voice laced with the confusion running wildly through her body.
“Goodbye, goodnight, good morning…” He inched closer, and his arms slipped around her neck.
“Dinner?”
Malik paused, his lips millimeters from hers. “Are you inviting me to dinner?”
“You did bring me grapes and cheese.” She smiled.
“There’s only one thing I want.” His eyes blazing, he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to hers. Sliding his hands down her back, he grabbed her waist, yanking her on top of him. His hand moved down her hip, pushing aside the apron and slipping under the hem of her shirt, then closed around the knife strapped to her thigh.
“Armed again?” he murmured against her lips. Unfastening the strap buckle, he pulled the sheath from her leg and tossed it onto the sofa, his hand returning to her thigh.
She gasped as his tongue dove into her mouth, tangling with hers. His grip tightened, guiding her hips into a grinding motion as his hard length pressed between her thighs. Overwhelming sensations rolled through her limbs as if every nerve were alive and burning at the same moment. She feared her body would rip apart.
Breaking the kiss, Zenna tipped her head back, her body moving against Malik. Digging his fingers into her hips, he increased her tempo, his lips trailed across the hollow of her throat. Her stomach clenched, winding tighter and tighter.
“Malik.” She panted his name, apprehension echoing in the room.
“Let go,” he growled, the word vibrating through her body, and nipped at her throat.
“Ma—” She screamed, an explosion rocking her body. His arms wound around her waist pulled her roughly against his chest as she quivered. The tremors subsided, and she drew in a shaky breath.
“I assume that was a first,” he said as she pushed away from him.
She nodded, acutely aware of the cool breeze blowing across her bare legs. Warmth spread through her face, the blush traveling through her skin until she was certain her entire body glowed pink.
Engines revved in the distance. Malik’s head whipped toward the window, and he paled.
“Who is it?” Zenna whispered her question, knowing the answer before Malik spoke.
“He must have completed his business early.” Malik turned his attention back to her, his eyes mirroring the fear bubbling in Zenna’s chest. “Is there anywhere to hide?”
“The loft.” She gestured at the staircase. “Mother never goes up there.”
Malik nodded once and still holding Zenna, climbed to his feet. He drew one finger down the side of her cheek.
“I have a favor to ask of you.”
