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“Have you not been told that curiosity killed the cat?” he asked coyly.

“I do believe the ending to that saying is, ‘but satisfaction brought it back.’”

“Satisfaction, huh?” He raised a brow, the corner of his lips forming into a naughty grin that told her he was being mischievous, or, at least, was about to be. “You should be careful wandering these halls. There are predators afoot, and a disoriented bunny could be seen as an easy meal.”

Valerie’s brow twitched with the urge to raise it when his head turned to her. There was an impish hint to his lips, to the crinkle of his eye. His tongue darting out to dabble at the seam of his lips only made his face appear more devilish.

Yes, he is definitely up to no good.

With an upturn of her chin, she walked past him.

“You often compare me to meek creatures. Perhaps the predators should be wary of those they think of as prey.”

A warm and light chuckle fell from him. “Where are you going, my lady? The centre of the palace is the other way.”

She frowned slightly. She thought he’d come from this way since he was leaning against the wall.I have been walking away from the centre this entire time?

“Did King Bradwick send you to help me?” she asked, her arms folding across her chest. “Wait, how did you know where I was?”

“Yes, he did.” Then he shook his head, like his answer to her second question was obvious. “The last anyone saw you, they said you were walking the second floor. I knew if I searched these halls, I would eventually find you.”

“Thank you for your help. I would appreciate it if you were to take me to the dining hall,” she said before she walked past him again, going back the way she came.

Geryon grabbed her wrist and pulled until she slammed against his chest. He wrapped his arm around her midsection to hold her to him.

“I missed you today,” he grumbled with his lips against her jaw.

Valerie didn’t like how such words could make her stomach quiver, nor how his lips could so quickly cause her skin to prickle.

She’d been trying to tell herself all day that she hadn’t wanted to see him. Yet, she spent most of her day ducking her head around corners, expecting to find him watching her. Her chest may have tightened in excitement the first few times, only to find herself disappointed in his absence each time.

I should not be having such reactions. I am here in this palace for a reason.

“Yes, well, you were otherwise preoccupied with more important things.” Her voice was calm, her tone non-lethal, but even she could hear the trail of something in it.

She clenched her hands when his palm slid down her back to grasp her backside, pushing her hips against his.

“I was on my way to find you when I was called away – to my great disappointment.”

A flush of arousal lifted to the skin of her chest when she felt something hard push against her. Then, his tongue darted out in a wet stroke just below her ear, making her even hotter.

“Unhand me, Lord Geryon. You should exercise more caution with your hands and mouth,” she said in a lowered voice.

The hallways they were in were short, only a few feet long, and she thought it may lead around the back of a room. If someone came upon them...

“We are rather deep in the palace.” He used his index and middle fingers to lift her chin, exposing her neck more. His mouth became rougher when he lowered it, his lips trailing faster over her flesh. “Nobody comes this way, and those who do are already asleep or in the dining hall.”

Valerie tried once more to push against his chest to separate them, feeling like a cornered woman in his large embrace. Her palms found warmth and the wonderful press of strong muscles.

“Were you not sent to find me?” She heard the slight tremble in her own voice and frowned at herself for it.

She wasn’t fretting to get out of his arms as much as before.Am I really so easily swayed by this man?She feared she knew the answer to that question.

Valerie may appear an unfeeling woman, and though usually that was quite true, she wasn’t impervious to tempting attention, especially not from a man she found sinfully attractive.

He’s someone who does not appear gentle but is remarkably so.

His lips were teasing, but they were careful, seeking the right places. It was like he was trying to find the spots that would make her breath catch, even if she tried to hide it.