LITMIR.BIZ

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sandy-colored eyebrows drew together. “Is that so?”

      “Aye. ’Tisso.” He nodded to assure her he meant what he said.

      “Well, guess what? I promised to take you to a psychic tomorrow, nothing else.”

      “I am hungry, woman.”

      She rolled her eyes, something she did often in his presence. “I’m really not in the mood for whine this evening, thank you very much, so just stop. I’m not your personal chef and that’s the end of it.”

      “Seeing to a man’s needs—all of his needs—is a woman’s only purpose in life.”

      “You’re kidding me, right?”

      “Nay. I would never jest about a woman’s duties.”

      “I’m just sure you wouldn’t.” She lost her look of amused tolerance, looking instead like a determined woman on a mission: death to every male within sniffing distance. “Let me explain something to you, Jordie. You’re—”

      “Jorlan.” He did not like it when she shortened his name and used that impertinent tone, making “Jordie” sound like something she would call a bothersome child.

      She continued on as if he hadn’t spoken. “You’re out of luck, Jordie, because I don’t cook, and even if I did, there are no supplies here.”

      “You will provide me with a weapon to hunt our food, or you will provide me with your world’s cuisine. Nothing else is acceptable.”

      Arms akimbo, she dug her fists into her sides.

      She had to relent, he assured himself, for he, a fierce Imperian warrior, had just issued a direct order.

      “How did you survive as stone if you couldn’t eat?” she asked calmly.

      “’Tis no concern of yours.”

      “You want to eat?”

      A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Magic sustained me.”

      “Then cast another spell. I’m not cooking.”

      How had he ever thought her antics amusing? “Since it is your hope to starve me,” he replied sharply, “at least take me to another domicile. Long have I been without the comforts of home, and you have nothing here save linens for us to slumber upon.”

      “Us?” she sputtered. “There is no us when it comes to sleeping. I thought I made that clear.”

      Would she contradict everything he said? “Where you sleep, so, too, will I.”

      “You haven’t gained my permission to stay with me, much less share my bed.”

      “Why would I be foolish enough to ask your permission? You might say no.” He was not a stupid man.

      Her lips stretched tight. “I’ll let you stay in my home tonight because you have nowhere else to go, not because you decreed it. And for your information, this—” her arms swept about, indicating the chamber around her “—is where I work, not where I sleep. My house is a few miles away and very comfortable.”

      “Then why are we still here? Let us be off.” Impatient now to arrive, he didn’t wait for her agreement, but simply headed for the door.

      “I have rules, though,” Katie rushed on.

      He stopped midstride, then slowly turned to face her. “Rules?” he said, his tone deceptively soft.

      “Three rules I expect you to obey if you want to stay with me.” She held up one finger. “Rule number one: no telling me what to do. I’ve noticed you’re a give orders kind of guy. Well, I’m a take-your-orders-and-shove-them kind of girl. That isn’t productive. Therefore, while staying with me, you obey me. And that’s not negotiable.”

      As she spoke, Jorlan slowly unfolded the multicolored cloth at his waist. His nakedness had disconcerted her earlier, and he knew it would do so now. He wanted no talk of rules and regulations unless he was the one issuing them.

      Katie’s mouth formed a small O, but far from silencing her, his action seemed to propel her onward. “Two,” she said. “No touching me without my permission.”

      That one he liked even less than the first. “And the third?”

      Another finger. “From now until I’m rid of you, you will always, always wear clothes.”

      Jorlan crossed his arms over his chest. He actually preferred wearing his garments. When not coupling, of course. But the little witch sought to place him under her control, and that he did not like. The warrior in him rebelled, for not even the Great-Lord had dictated his actions to such a degree.

      Yet how did one deal with such a brazen female?

      The answer came to him in a flash; he almost smirked.

      “Well?” Her hands anchored to her hips.

      “I agree to your terms, katya.”

      A genuine smile of relief lifted the corners of her lips, a smile that softened her expression and lit her features with radiance. The effect was devastating, and his breath hitched in his lungs. No woman had a right to possess such a grin. He resisted this newly discovered allure, vowing to remain impenetrably guarded against that captivating smile.

      “That was easier than I expected,” she said, still smiling.

      “I agree to your terms,” he added as if she hadn’t spoken, “with a few minor adjustments.”

      That wiped the grin from her face, and he was once again able to breathe. “You have nothing to bargain with, Jorlan.”

      He arched a brow. “Do I not?”

      “If you’re planning to use your magic—”

      “No magic, I promise you.”

      “Well, then, you’re screwed, because I’m not changing the rules.” Her satisfaction rang loud and clear.

      Pretending to mull over his next words, he stroked his jaw. “We must journey to your dwelling this night, must we not?” He didn’t give her time to respond. “I can do that clothed…or I can do that naked.”

      She gasped. “Now wait just a damn minute. I can leave you here by yourself, you know.”

      “If you think to leave without me, you will find yourself over my knee getting the spanking you so rightly deserve.”

      “If you think to spank me, you’ll find yourself getting the beating you so rightly deserve!”

      “You will listen to my adjustments or I will break every one of your rules. Beginning now.” With purposeful strides, he closed the distance between them.

      “I agree,” she blurted out, her hands raised to ward him off. “I agree.”

      He stopped only a heartbeat away. “Number one: I will give you no unreasonable demands, as long as you do the same for me.”

      The tension in her shoulders relaxed a little. “That’s fair enough.”

      “Number two: I will touch you only if you touch me first.” Now enjoying himself, he propped his arm against the wall beside him. “Or mayhap I will wait until you ask me, very sweetly, to put my hands on you.”

      At first she looked as if she might snort. But then, her gaze raked over him, and her cheeks reddened. “I’ll maintain my distance,” she said, averting her eyes, “because there’s no way in hell I’m asking you to touch me.”

      “You did before. In the garden.”

      “That was different.” Her cheeks burned all the brighter. When he made no comment, she burst out, “It was different. The stone appealed to me. You do not.”

      “Say no more, little witch. I would not have you regret

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