Page 80 of The Firebrand
Was that a flash of regret in his eyes? No. Acid reflux.
“I’ll bite. Why do you deserve an award?”
“First overnighter. Well, almost-overnighter. Award worthy, right?”
“Gold ribbon.” His gaze fixed on her. “What sent you into a tailspin and had you tossing pottery at me?”
“You.”
“Me? What did I do?”
Braelyn munched on the crisp bacon. “Call me crazy, but I wanted you to ask me to stay.”
“I didn’t send you to the guest room, Brae. That was your idea.”
“I don’t mean for just the night.”
Rein squinted, his forehead creasing. His sometimes-bright blues turned stormy.
Braelyn waited.Nothing. “Do I have to explain everything? Are you that obtuse?” She tasted the scrambled eggs.Hmm.She scooped in another bite. And another. Then she set her fork on her plate. “Okay. Here goes. I know we can’t be together. We’re from two different worlds. We’re two different species. I’m a complication in your well-ordered, neat life. A brain-diseased, short-lived complication.”
“Okay. So … still waiting to hear what I did wrong.”
“You didn’t ask me to stay with you on Scath even though I can’t.”
Rein set his empty plate on the counter, resuming the lean he had perfected. His hip jutted out, arms folded over his chest, brows pulled down. “You want me to ask you to stay in my realm even if you can’t?”
“Yes.”
He pressed his lips tight. “I don’t understand. If you can’t, why would I ask?”
Braelyn rubbed circles on her temples, a sigh escaping her lips. “So I can tell you no.”
He nodded. Then he shook his head. “You are the most … most … troubling female I’ve ever known, and I’ve been around a long time.” Rein swiped a palm across his hair, his gaze journeying up Braelyn’s legs encased in tight pants and on to the seductive top, but his hip stayed glued to the counter.
“Really? Why?” Reacting to his hungry stare, she curved her back, pushing her breasts out.
“I can’t think clearly when you’re around because you’re a damn rollercoaster ride. That’s not me. Despite your being a pain in my ass, I’d be happy to ask you to stay in my bed where I can fuck you all day. And tomorrow.” He sauntered over to Braelyn, tipping her chin up with his finger.
“You would?”
“I would.”
“Well,” she said, sniffing, “I would love to spend today and tomorrow in bed while you fuck me silly, but I can’t. I have to leave.”
Rein laughed. “Am I forgiven?”
When he pulled her into the warmth of his arms, she snuggled against his unyielding chest, her answer muffled. “Yes.”
When his shirt was damp from her silent tears, she pushed away. “I might have left a mess in Elisabeta’s room to punish you. Before I forgave you of course. I can clean it up before I leave.”
“Don’t. Whenever I miss being nagged at by a pain in the ass, I’ll go into the room. It’ll set me straight.”
Turning toward the counter, he poured another cup of coffee. “While you’re in a generous mood, forgive your father. He did what he thought best.”
“I will. After I make him suffer for a while.”
“Why?”
