Stolen and Seduced - Christine Pope Page 0,141

breakfast.

Well, I’ll be damned if he doesn’t know just how to play me like a fiddle.

I lower myself into my seat, all the while never taking my eyes off him. Which, I'll admit, is fucking hard. The emperor is hot as sin, yes, but he’s also intimidating. If anyone on this ship can make my life a living hell, it’s him.

But I try not to think of it that way. I spin my viewpoint, because the emperor can also make my life better. Seeing as I’m at my personal rock bottom I’ll do anything for the tiniest iota of improvement.

“I realize that humans eat three meals a day, so I had this brought in,” the emperor says. “Eat.”

I lean forward and breathe a breath of relief. I recognize everything on the platter. There are grapes, cheese, bread, and cold cut meats—including bacon, which is strange for a charcuterie board but what the hell, I don’t care.

Screw my arteries. I’ll take all the bacon I can get while I can get it.

I pluck a strip of bacon off the platter. Its fatty, porky goodness fills my nostrils, making me salivate.

“I apologize for my crewmate's behavior yesterday. He was not supposed to act in such a barbaric manner. There have been some developments among our kind lately. Situations that make males fret over finding a mate.”

“A mate? I wasn’t under the assumption that I’d be one of those. A whore, sure, but not a mate.”

I toss a grape into my mouth, noting how his eyes linger on my lips for a few seconds longer than normal.

“In truth, you might end up being either,” the emperor replies. “Still, there’s no reason to treat newly arrived females in such a way.”

I feel like he’s baiting me. After all, there’s no way I could have missed what Folgru said yesterday.

“Do you mean no one should treat a woman like that because you hadn’t met them yet . . . emperor?”

I tack on the title because I want him to know that I'm aware of who I’m dealing with.

His violet eyes widen for a second before he regains control. “I see that you’ve figured out who I am then. What a shame.”

“You have that tone of command.”

I’m careful not about to give Aika up. I pause because his lips quirk up at my observation, almost like he wants to say something.

When he doesn’t, I continue.

“Why would you want to keep that a secret, anyway? And should I call you just ‘emperor’, which is kinda weird. Or do you have a name to go after that title?”

He assesses me, as if he’s not sure that I can handle the truth. I arch an eyebrow, challenging him.

He bursts out laughing.

I warm, liking the sound. It’s actually relaxing my body, the sexy, deep timbre leaving his lips. Lips I want to be kissing again.

Fuck me on a stick. I’m into this yon, or at least my body wants him. I can’t help it, or explain the feeling, but it’s there. Hopefully, he feels equally attracted. If he does, I can work out the fantasy bubbling in my mind and perhaps earn my freedom. A double win. I love those.

I wait until his mirth runs out before speaking.

“I’m so pleased I could make you chuckle, but why don’t you do me a favor and let me in on the secret?”

He’s still smiling as he shakes his head.

“I knew there was something about you I liked.”

He leans forward and places his elbows on his knees. In doing so, his dark blue wings expand behind him. Their otherness reminds me that no matter how gorgeous this guy is, he’s not human.

And I’m not here willingly. I need to keep my wits about me if I’m to work this situation to my advantage.

“What’s your name?” he asks.

“I asked first,” I volley back.

“You may call me Emperor Quazar.”

He pauses and his nostrils flare slightly, like he’s smelling something in the air. Probably the bacon. Come to think of it, I want another piece, so I snap one up.

“I’m Elizabeth, but I prefer Liz,” I say and chomp on the piggy goodness.

“Liz.”

He says my name like it’s one of those long, exotic names like Alessandra or Giselle. Goosebumps raise on my arm just hearing it.

“Yeah, just Liz,” I say, trying to act unaffected and supremely interested in the bacon.

“Well, just Liz.” He winks and my mouth goes dry. “Are you sure you want to know what I’m thinking?”

His voice is lower now, like a growl.

My