“What?” I repeated, still not knowing what he was on about.
“You’re far more beautiful without all that garbage.”
I ignored him calling me beautiful. He wasn’t going to be a domineering freak, telling me he was my master one meeting and then charm me by calling me beautiful the next.
“Or are you trying to turn me off?” he asked.
“Do you mean the hair and makeup?”
“Yes.”
This genuinely confused me, so much so I didn’t guard my answer. “Your lady did it.”
“My lady?”
“Edwina. She came in earlier and gave me the works. I thought that was part of the deal.”
“Edwina,” he muttered, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, “too many good intentions, not enough sense.”
“Sorry?”
His eyes focused on mine. “Leah, Edwina is your housekeeper. She’s not your lady’s maid. Do what you wish with your hair and your face.” He paused then said, “Or, I should say, do what I wish with your hair and your face which means no more of that.”
I decided instantly that Edwina was going to do my hair and makeup every time he came over.
He must have read my mind because he roared with laughter. He did this as he caught me in his arms again, pulling me close to his chest and shoving his face in my neck so his mirth tingled, unwanted (but also not unpleasant), along my skin.
“I’m so glad you’re having such a good time,” I grumbled to the wall.
“I am too. Thank you.” His gratitude was also expressed against the skin at my neck in a dry wit that only made him chuckle.
“Is this going to take all night?” I kept grumbling.
His mouth shifted from my neck to my ear where he murmured, “Impatient.”
For once in my life I wasn’t. Not really. There were two billion and five other things I would prefer to be doing. However, since this was my only choice, I was (kind of) ready to have it over with.
His face came out of my neck, he pulled back and looked at me.
“I see your studies didn’t convince you this was something you’d take to.”
“I was expelled,” I announced.
His brows drew together before he said, “Pardon?”
“I was expelled,” I repeated.
“You were expelled,” he repeated after me.
I nodded.
“From Vampire Studies,” he continued.
I nodded again.
His brows drew further together, ominously further.
“Why don’t I know this?”