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After a moment of hesitation, he said, “I’m, uh, not into any of that freaky shit.”

She arched a brow. “Explain.”

“You know, sucking toes or anything involving farm animals.”

She coughed to hide her smile. “No livestock or toes. Understood.”

He drew closer, crowding her, stopping just shy of her bare feet. The sheer size of him towering over her had her breath catching in her throat. If anyone else had cornered her in this way, she’d have put them in their place. She should put him in his place. Would put him in his place. Any minute now.Oh, la la, but he smells good.His masculine fragrance was sweetened with undertones of tobacco, oiled leather, and cedar.

The heat radiating off his skin tempted her to press closer to warm herself against his broad chest. She curled her nails into her palms to keep her fingers from stroking his thick pectorals.

“You’re a beautiful woman, Viv,” he murmured, ignoring Rule Three. Then promptly stomped on Rule One, reaching for her cheek. She dodged his grasp.

Her voice a husky rasp, she said, “Remember the rules, Liam.”

A knock sounded, breaking the spell. Vivian released the breath she held. Thank goodness because she was quickly becoming snared in her own web.

She slipped past Liam, hustled to the door, and wrenched it open.

Dove grinned back at her, right on time. Dressed for bed, she wore a pair of satin pajama pants with flying pigs printed on them and a tank top. She peeked around Vivian’s shoulder and sent her a conspiring wink.

“Do come in, darling. We’re about finished here.” Vivian clasped Dove’s wrist as though it were a lifeline, guiding her into the room. Liam sidled closer, and Vivian circled her arm around her Chosen, drawing her closer in an intimate fashion. Dove followed her lead, hugging Vivian’s waist.

Liam watched their antics with a curious gleam in his eyes. When Vivian smoothed Dove’s hair over her shoulder and nuzzled her neck, she sensed the change in him. If he were a dog, his ears would be perked and his tail wagging. Apparently, this wasn’t one of those “freaky things” he found abhorrent.

She drew Dove out of his path. “Good night, Liam. Armond should have one of your suits ready by tomorrow afternoon. There’s a gala tomorrow evening, and I’ll expect you to accompany me. Rest up. I’ll need you at your best.”

He scowled, eyeing the two of them, then pointed at the doorway. “You want me to leave?”

“Consequences, Liam. I don’t reward bad behavior.” She fluttered a hand in the direction of the hall. “Your room is the last one on the left. Please let Gilbert know if there is anything you need.”

He shuffled into the hallway, then paused, confusion etched on his rugged face. “Good night, darling. Sleep well.” With that, she closed the door.

Five

Vivian foughtthe urge to sag against the wall. Going toe to toe with Liam had been even more exhausting than she’d predicted.

Dove slapped a hand over her mouth, suppressing laughter. “Oh my goodness, that was intense. Did you see his face?”

“Shhh,” Vivian pressed her finger to her lips. “He’ll hear you.”

Far from cowed, Dove pressed her ear to the door.

Vivian frowned at her antics, hissing, “This is beyond childish.”

Dove ignored the reprimand, frantically waving her over.

After a moment of resistance, Vivian rolled her eyes, then tiptoed closer and pressed her cheek beside Dove’s.

On the other side, Liam muttered something about blue balls before the sound of his sock-clad feet thumped down the hallway. She spied his massive motorcycle boots sitting on the floor. He must have removed them when he began stripping off his clothes. Goddess, but she’d been hard-pressed to stop him.

Once his bedroom door slammed, she straightened, motioning to Dove. “Put his boots outside. Gilbert will make sure he gets them.”

Dove went about her task, grunting dramatically while hefting them off the floor. “Dear Lord, even his feet are enormous. Look at the size of these things.”

Vivian shook her head. “There’s no truth in that old wives’ tale about the size of a man’s feet.”

Dove choked a laugh and set them outside the door. Once she was done, she returned, all signs of humor gone. “Vivian, are you sure about this? Liam isn’t the kind of guy you’re used to dealing with. I’m pretty sure he could crush you with one fist, or boot for that matter.”