Page 37 of Carnal: The Beast Who Loved Me

She shook her head. “Moot point because I’m not ever going to be yours, Carnal.”

He smiled. “My mother is under the impression that I owe you an apology.”

“Hmmm.”

“I’m going to take that to mean you agree. So. Here I am saying sorry. I didn’t intend to make you feel unwanted.”

Rosie cocked her head to the side as Exiled so often did. When she realized she was unconsciously mimicking the gesture, she straightened.

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to vet the people teaching your children.”

Carnal waited. When she said nothing more, he said, “But it’s not my place to do that. It’s Serene’s.”

“That’s between the two of you. I don’t have hard feelings about it.”

“Hard feelings. Yeah.” He looked around, took another drink, and said, “I don’t want you to have hard feelings.”

“Well I don’t.” He nodded. “So was there something else?”

“Yeah.” One side of his mouth lifted in a cocky smile. “I thought we might get together.”

Rosie’s brow furrowed. “Get together. You mean like on a date.”

“Not sure what that is, but I’m pretty sure you know what I mean.”

Rosie laughed in his face. “From what I hear you’ve got hordes of girls vying todateyou. I don’t think ‘getting together’ with me is a great idea.”

Carnal grinned. “How old are you, Rosie?”

“Fourteen months. Why?”

He laughed. “No reason. I’d want to get together with you no matter how old you are. You don’t have to tell me your age.”

“Told you, Carnal. Go wade through the masses who are clawing for your attention.”

“Had my fill of chicklets. I want you.”

“Well, you can’t always get what you want.”

He gave her a look that transformed his face from ruggedly handsome to mesmerizing. “I’m pretty sure I can.” He grinned.

Rosie just shook her head and turned back to pretend working. After a period of silence she heard the door swoosh open and closed.

When she left the Commons at four-thirty, he was waiting outside and fell into step beside her.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Walking you to the Extant’s house.”

“Carnal.” She chuffed. “It’s a three minute walk.”

“Not far enough for you to object then.”

“What’s your game?”

“You.”

“I don’t want to be your game.” He opened his mouth to reply, but she cut him off, saying, “And don’t tell me everybody wants to be your game.”