The Charmer

35

“What happened to you?” Rihlia demanded as Jasmine limped into dinner that evening. She was late. Everyone was present, even Keilor, and all conversation came to a halt as they waited for her answer.

Jasmine gave her a rueful smile as she lowered herself into a seat, wincing a little as her sore lip pulled. Feeling mischievous, she lowered her eyes and allowed a shy, satisfied grin to curl the corners of her mouth. “I found a new playmate; he likes it a bit rough.” Stunned silence fell on the room.

“J-jas?” Rihlia finally ventured in disbelief, “Are you saying some guy hurt you? And you let him?”

She fought to keep a straight face as she toyed with her chopsticks. “I decided to take a walk on the wild side.” She swallowed to force down her laughter. No doubt Rihlia would pick up on the odd note in her voice at any second and demand in on the joke. To her surprise, it wasn’t her friend who questioned her.

“Who was it?” Keilor demanded.

Jasmine’s eyes flew up, startled into looking at him. Other than noting his presence, she’d intended to ignore the ill-tempered brute. Without thinking, she answered, “I left him in my room.”

Keilor was on his feet and to the door before she’d finished saying, “my.” Jasmine gaped at the empty doorway. It took her a moment, but she grinned. It became a giggle. The giggle became a full borne laugh the minute Rihlia demanded with suspicion, “What are you up to, Jasmine?”

Jasmine threw her a wicked grin. “My new playmate,” she snickered, “is a villi.”

Jasmine wasn’t the only one snickering when Keilor returned several minutes later. He threw her a lethal glance as he took his seat between Rhapsody and Portae.

“How is the little villi, Keilor?” Fallon asked with amusement. “Jasmine’s been telling us all about her new companion, Casanova.”

Keilor’s stare was not amused. “A foolish name for a villi.” He took a vicious bite of meat.

“Do you think? I considered calling him Brad Pitt, but now he’s happily married, it didn’t seem quite right.” She smiled slyly at Rihlia. “Besides, he hasn’t been nearly as hot since he cut his hair.” She glanced flirtatiously at Keilor, just to annoy him. “Lost that bad boy look.” Something hot leapt in his eyes, and she hastily averted her own. Her stomach clenched with excitement. He was jealous!

“What’s got you in such a spirited mood this evening?” Fallon inquired, letting his appreciative gaze linger. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you quite so radiant.”

Jasmine waited until Keilor took a sip of his wine and then quipped, “I’m in love with one of my bodyguards?” One cue, her victim choked and coughed fit to bring up a lung. “No?” she inquired, raising a brow at his glare.

She smiled sweetly at Fallon. “Actually, I’m just happy to have a pet of my own. Wiley,” she didn’t even need to look to feel the heat of Keilor’s glare, “always had one, and that was fine when we lived in the same place, but now...I find I’m really enjoying it, and Casanova is so sweet.” She batted her eyes at Fallon. “Sometimes a woman just needs someone to cuddle with on a lonely night.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Jasmine saw Jayems lean back in his chair with an expression of fascination. Rihlia just peered at her as if she’d suddenly transformed into an alien. The rest of the woman remained breathlessly still, waiting for her drama to unfold.

Keilor she ignored.

Fallon’s response was everything she could have hoped for. His smile was slow and infinitely sexy. “You might have said as much.”

Jasmine very deliberately folded her napkin and stood up. Addressing the table at large, she said, “I really can’t wait to introduce you all to Casanova. Would you mind escorting me to my room to get him, Fallon?”

His eyes slid over to gage Keilor’s reaction. Fallon rose with a roguish smile. “Anything you desire, sweet Jasmine.” He extended his arm, and Jasmine linked hers through it.

The door had barely closed behind the pair when Urseya grinned wickedly and asked, “Do you think they’ll be back?”

***

“You should have a care,” Fallon advised, slanting her a shrewd look. “Teasing Keilor can be a dangerous pastime unless you’re able to deal with the consequences.”

She shrugged. “What can he do? He can’t beat me. I think Jayems would be annoyed at that.”

He shook his head, chuckling dryly. “I doubt very much that beating you is what he’s contemplating at the moment. Or is that what you had in mind?” She said nothing, and they walked in companionable silence until they reached her door. As she moved to open it, she suddenly found herself pinned between it and Fallon’s strong arms. He placed a finger on her lips, stilling her protest. “He’s watching,” he said softly.

Jasmine’s breath quickened with the thought of Keilor hiding in the shadows. It could only mean one thing.

Fallon laughed. “Mm,” he whispered against her ear, making her shiver with the vibration. “You like that idea. But perhaps...” He placed a small kiss just in front of her ear, and then another, making her eyes go wide, “...perhaps I could make just a small suggestion.” 

Jasmine’s hands came up to press against his chest. He was starting to worry her. Maybe she’d miscalculated. After all, how well did she know this man?

Fallon didn’t move. “In the future, if you wish to torment my cousin...” His hand slid up along her arm and she sucked in a breath, “...don’t use another man to do it. It’s not safe; for you or him.” He paused with his hand on her upper arm, a hair’s breadth away from her breast, and she held her breath in dread. 

He met her gaze with eyes of fire, letting her see the dangerous extent of his desire. “Understand?” She nodded like a robot, and rueful satisfaction filled his eyes. “Good.” He gave her a fast, smacking kiss and withdrew. “Go get your villi, woman.”

Keilor stepped around the corner the moment she’d scurried through the door. He surveyed his cousin with disgust. “I should rip your lungs out.”

Fallon snorted. He leaned against the wall as if it were the only thing holding him up. A sheen of sweat slicked his skin. “Too much trouble.

Besides, you should be grateful; had I done as I wished to do—”

Keilor grabbed him by the shirt and jerked the dazed warrior nose to nose. “Say it and I will m**m you,” he warned. His little charmer had put him through enough torment that night.