Startled she assumed she must have heard him wrong. When she lifted her eyes she was convinced he would be laughing at her or would change his mind and say something like, while she was right to act, it was against the rules to attack someone here. Instead, he was studying her, concerned creases at the edges of his eyes.
“He said we were just dancing.” Thea didn’t know why she said it. Maybe it was an ill-conceived attempt at validation. If someone else saw things her way then she wouldn’t feel so angry about everything. Yet why would she want it from him? Surely seeing the world in the same way as a monster from hell was a bad thing?
However, in that moment she wanted nothing more than for him to agree with her, for someone to have seen what happened and how uncomfortable she had been. Even the thought of it made her clench her fists and the muscles in her neck pull taunt.
“You were dancing, very well I might add.”
She glared when he said this. Typical man, she didn’t know why she had imagined she would get any other answer.
“But he was being an ass.”
Thea waited for him to say something else, like she belonged to him so no one else could have her, or something like that. Or for him to grab her arm or touch her leg but he didn’t move. Her heart was pounding as the realisation set in that she was grateful to be talking to this creature. He understood and whether it was because of this or because he was king here, knowing he was on her side made her feel safer. Still, if he touched her she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from punching him in the eye.
“Thank you,” she uttered. Even if it was humiliating to thank him, she wanted him on side for the plan, so she swallowed her pride and spoke her mind. It was silly to thank someone for agreeing with something that should be common practice, but she felt she had to. Not even the other girls had sided with her.
“You can thank me by coming to keep me company one of the days.” He stood and was a few paces away before he spun around again, raising a finger as if an idea had just come to him. “When I say keep me company I mean talking, nothing else.”
Thea almost laughed at the dopey grin he flashed her, but the shock helped her to control herself. He didn’t want to have sex with her? He wanted to talk? None of it made sense and she wouldn’t believe it until she was there, and he didn’t try anything.
“What if I’m busy?”
“Don’t be.” With that said he waved his guards over and they assembled around Thea to escort her out. Marcus leaned by the bowl of chocolates and popped onto into his mouth.
In other words, she didn’t have a choice but to come and see him. Nice that some of her assumptions weren’t going to be challenged. Thea rose to her feet and smiled politely at him. The guard with the bloody nose flinched when she moved past him, and her smile widened. Tonight might have been a disaster on most fronts but something had worked out. The plan was in motion.
As she passed by Marcus he said her name.
Peeking over her shoulder at him she waited.
“It will be good to get to know you some more.” He winked and approached her. Rooted to the spot she held her breath. He was close enough for her to see the dark flecks in his eyes.
“I don’t think I have had a chance to welcome you to my home. So welcome.” He gently touched her hand, his fingers warm and calloused.
Thea was baffled when she felt heat rise to her cheeks. Her heart skipped a beat and a thin sheen of sweat broke out all over her body. She had no idea why she should be reacting like this to his touch. Granted she was still tense and part of her screamed that she should run before the monster in front of her changed his mind and ripped her apart. But there was another part of her that almost leaned into him. Managing a nervous smile, she kept still as best she could, not sure which side of her would win out.
“Thank you.” She did her best to sound enticing but it wasn’t something she had practice at. Maybe that was why she felt so drawn to him, she was out of practice with winning over a man and was just getting into character. That had to be it.
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