Chapter 20

Chapter

Twenty

I must have misheard. "Excuse me?"

Darien flashes a pussy-aching smile. "I recruited you. Now and then, Madame asks me to, shall we say, calibrate the recruitment process. I'm sent to a location as part of the preliminary selection process."

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

I don't know how to take this. It's like I'm a pawn, moved across a chessboard to get to this place and time. Fifty Shades vibes come calling. Is Darien an Uber-rich player who hand-selects his partners like he does his clothing?

Does it matter? Damn-the-Consequences asks. He's hot. Fuck him.

She has a point.

"I can see you're trying to work out the ethics of our situation. If you're wondering whether or not I recruited you for myself, let's say you piqued my interest, but I didn't offer for you until I was sure you and I would be compatible. "

"And when, exactly, did you determine that?"

"When you slapped Scarlett."

An eyebrow shoots up. Huh. That's interesting. So he likes Rebel Eden. I can work with that. "Okay. I, um, this is all really strange, but thanks for recruiting me, I guess?"

He laughs, the sound shooting like an arrow into my brain, where it blooms and spreads like creeping phlox all the way to my crotch, which is already damp from the pervasive humidity. If my arousal had a color, it would be the bright pink of those ground cover plants. Speaking of ground cover, it sucks to no longer have any shielding my nether regions. I can't help but wonder if Darien can see a sheen of sweat and arousal on my naked mons pubis. That's a weird word. Pubis. It must've been a man who thought up that one. It goes right along with cockerel, titmouse, and blue-footed booby.

"Tell me about yourself, Eden."

God damn, I love hearing my name fall from those full lips. "There's not much to tell."

"I doubt that."

I shift, hoping every movement doesn't leave a crotch stain on the seat of my chair. "Well, you already know I'm twenty-one, since we met the night I celebrated with my friend. I'm an only child." I pause, thinking of something else, and blurt, "I work at a mini-mart. Worked."

"You don't plan on going back?"

"Hell, no. I'm going to use the money from this, uh, adventure," I sweep my arm out, indicating the entire island and everyone on it, "to open a bookshop."

"A bookshop. Interesting. I wouldn't have pegged you as a bookworm." His eyes slide to my tits, and I feel my nipples stand at attention, waving hello.

I resist the urge to squirm. "Yeah. I'm actually a book dragon. Not a bookworm."

"Good to know. Thankfully, I'm not a thief, or a hobbit, trying to steal your treasure. At least, not the literary kind." He winks, and my stomach flips. "Do you have a theme for this shop?"

Oh, God. He just dropped a LOTR reference. I want to marry him. "My shop? I'm going to call it Pages and Pastries. Two of my favorite things."

His eyes light. "Fabulous name! Well, I wish you luck in attaining your dream."

"Thanks." Inquisition over. I force my body to relax, or at least appear relaxed. "What about you?"

"There's not much to tell."

"That's my line."

"I thought I'd borrow it." He gives a rueful grin.

God, he's appealing. I don't know how long I stare at him, but my brain starts up again after downloading his perfect smile's full effect. "You've gotta tell me something."

He thinks for a moment, and I get the impression he's deciding what to say and what to leave unsaid. "My favorite color is pink, like the stain on your cheeks when you're flustered. If I had to choose between a dog or a cat, well, there's only one kind of pussy I like."

My face flushes, and he smiles, reaching over to run his finger along my pinkened skin.

Leaning back, he adds, "I like real maple syrup and raspberry Pop-Tarts."

Fuck me. Now Pop-Tarts are sexy. When and how did toaster pastries cross into the realm of sexual appeal? There should be a study on that. "What about your family or what you do outside all of this?"

"Hm. Reasonable questions but irrelevant." Darien rests his ankle on his knee. "All you really need to know about me is I will test every boundary. Carve my name into every inch of your body." He breathes deeply and looks at me through half-mast eyes. "You will be mine in every sense of the word."

Damn. I'm in trouble. It's a good thing I've always had a penchant for it.

"You sound awfully sure of yourself."

He smiles. "I am."

I make a noncommittal sound. The sultry promise in his eyes goes straight to my crotch, affecting my ability to form a coherent thought. "M'kay. Is there… is there any other mundane thing you can… uh… tell me?"

"Nothing that'll change what's going to happen." He shifts his leg and leans toward me. I can feel the hot huff of his breath. "I'm not an onion you can peel to see what's beneath my skin. If you wish to learn about me," his eyes rake my body, "you must surrender. Leap."

Fuck the parachute. I'm ready to jump.

I nod, ready to throw myself at him. Instead, I glance at Zed, who readily acknowledges the message on my face.

"Darien," he says, stepping forward, "Eden will be ready to begin her role as Novice tomorrow evening. May I suggest you share breakfast in the morning to continue your acquaintance?"

"That would be fine." Darien stands and bends down to take my hand. His lips brush against my knuckles and my mouth parts. I'm completely undone. "Eden, it's been a pleasure. I will see you tomorrow."

"Uh-huh." My brain is stuck in neutral.

He grins and confirms a time for breakfast with Zed. All I can do is sit and watch the exchange. Darien offers one more look before strolling away. I stare at his retreating figure. He's got a great ass.