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And when he gets close to me? I feel vulnerable in a way I wasn’t ready for.

I try to remain defiant.

“I bet I didn’t smell so good when I was knee-deep in that Toad filth,” I snort, trying to derail his flirting and cut the tension. “Does that smell ever wash off?”

“Even when you were covered in it, you smelt like nectar,” Lucius retorts – that huge tongue of his leaving a glistening sheen over his perfect lips. Suddenly, all I can think of is howrightit felt when he was kissing me…

I blink.

What doesthatmean?

My mouth is suddenly dry, and this time I don’t think I can blame the desert-like heat of the Aurelian’s quarters. I knowexactlywhat it bloody well means. Aurelians have noses like hunting dogs – and the alien specieslovethe scent of women they believe might be their Fated Mate.

If Lucius could drink in the scent of me when I was covered in Toad grunge, it must be because he thinks I might beBondedto him.

I shudder…

…could it possibly be true?

I don’t get a chance to ponder that – as theslapandsizzleof a huge chunk of meat breaks me from my thoughts. I glance over and see Marcel flipping the huge flank of meat across the cooking surface.

Like a dad at a barbeque, Marcel asks: “How do you like it?”

At this moment, the huge flank of meat barely looks sunburned – and I remember reading about how Aurelians like their meat practically still walking.

In any event, I’m glad to think of anything other than Lucius right now – even if it is a lump of still-dripping meat. Marcel slaps it back onto the cooking surface, and my stomach growls at the delicious smells that continue to emerge.

It’s loud – but I’m too hungry to feel embarrassed right now, even when Lucius raises one of his thick eyebrows. He’s probably thinking of some teasing quip – which I just hope he keeps confined behind his lips.

The meat is still red and dripping, but my appetite can’t be contained any longer.

“I’d take it any way it comes right now.”

Marcel grins, and scoops the meat up with the fork, before depositing it with a thud onto the cutting board. Blood pools, flowing into the carved channels as Marcel slices the flank into long, bloody strips.

I bite my lip as I watch each carving appear redder and more raw; until the flesh is practically blue.

“Okay,” I gulp, “when I said I’d take it any way it came, I didn’t mean meat sashimi!”

Lucius snorts.

Marcel says nothing – but he does return about two pounds of the bloody meat back to the sizzling cooking surface. As what I presume is my serving continues to broil, the towering Aurelian plates three steaming mountains of practically raw flesh and brings them to the table.

It’s a weird dynamic, to see the leader of the triad attend to his two battle-brothers – almost like a parent doting on two equally large, muscular kids. However, there’s something almost robotic to his movements. Marcel has seemed different ever since he emerged from the bedroom. He seems deep in thought – serious, rather than challenging.

Quint stands silently, and crosses over to the kitchen. There, he grabs knives and forks, before bringing the plates to the dining room table.

“I’m surprised you know how to use a fork and knife,” I grumble, as Lucius receives his silverware. He says nothing – but his eyes flash infuriatingly.

I settle back into my chair.

This is just bloody fucking wonderful. We’re having the weirdest family dinner in the world!

Lucius takes his plate, and winks at me. “I’m more skilled at devouring things with my hands and mouth,” he purrs – leaving no doubt as to exactly what he likes to devour, “but I’ll try to be civil in your presence.”

My cheeks burn as I glare at him. He might be centuries old, but Lucius clearly acts like a teenager sometimes. The worst part is the effect it has on me. The mental image he flooded my head with – of his head buried between my thighs, and this thick tongue eagerly feasting on my wetness – is enough to leave me breathless, squeezing my thighs together beneath the edge of the oversized table.

I shake my head, trying to clear my head and square away the incredulity of this situation.