Page 20 of Hair, She Bears
Zenna released the vial. Tumbling toward the ground, flipping end over end, painting deep purple sparkles across the tower, the bottle landed in Carlyle’s gloved palm, and his fingers closed around the vial.
“Thank you, miss.” He flashed her a smile, revealing a mouthful of chipped teeth, and slunk around the tower, hiding in the bushes which separated the tower from the main wall surrounding the compound.
“You’ve made a friend.” Malik climbed from the floor.
“He won’t cross Mother.” Her eyes scanned the base of the tower as the final fingers of sunlight retracted from the grounds.
“You’d be surprised what people will do with the right motivation.” Malik stepped behind her and wrapped one arm around her waist. Brushing aside her hair, his mouth placed a searing kiss on the back of her neck. She shivered.
A whoop echoed across the compound. Carlyle burst out from behind the tower, running at full speed toward the center of the courtyard. He leapt over two stone benches, circled the courtyard once more, then vanished. In the darkness, a motorcycle roared.
“I wonder if he’s coming back…” Malik chuckled, his lips tickled her skin.
Zenna stiffened. “You should leave.”
“Are you throwing me out?”
“No.” She spun around, her eyebrows pulled together. “But there is no longer a guard—”
Malik placed one finger over her mouth. “You invited me to dinner.”
“What if Carlyle returns?”
“He owes you.” Malik slid his arms around her waist. “As do I.”
“What do you owe me?”
“I promised to make you scream again.” He backed her against the wall. “And I rather enjoy hearing my name on your lips.”
5
Her stomach clenched, desire curled through her body, and a secondary emotion… fear.
“You seem very sure of yourself.”
“I am.” His fingers slid down her arm, and she trembled under his soft caress. He stepped back, a frown on his lips. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that reaction before.”
“What reaction?”
“Terror.” He stepped around her and crossed the room, heading for the staircase.
“I’m sorry.” Her hands twisted together. “I…”
“Don’t apologize.” Malik paused at the base of the staircase and turned toward her, a peculiar expression on his face.
“But you’re leaving.”
“Am I?” He glanced up the staircase. “Is this the exit?”
“No…” She took a small step toward him. “I thought you were angry.”
“Because you’re frightened? I may look like my father, but I am not him.” He abandoned the stairs, traversed the room in three strides, and gathered her in his embrace. “Zenna, I’m not going to force you to do something you’re not ready to experience. I want you to be with me because you want to, not because of some misguided notion of repayment. Do you understand?”
She nodded once, sinking her teeth into her lip.
“I propose we eat dinner. You can tell me about your parents.”
“My parents?” She blinked in confusion.
