Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
I sighed but didn’t unpeel my body from his or untangle my fingers from his hair when I shared, “No one has ever given me anything this huge.”
Even if what he had to give was unheard of, his eyes darkened, those pinprick stars reappearing, both reactions showing he understood part of that statement had to do with the lack I received from my parents.
“Not true,” I amended swiftly. “Mr. Truelock owns the building my flat and studio are in, he went all out on bathroom and kitchen upgrades before I moved in, and I know he charges me bargain basement rent.” I paused as if to consider. “But this is better. And anyway, he’s my dad not really being my dad, so I guess that’s part of his job. At least he thinks so.”
“I always admired Mammon, now I very much like him.”
“He’s pretty mega.”
Aleksei smiled, and oh my, but I loved watching him do that.
“Now I must ask a question I never thought would pass my lips,” he said. “Gown, skin or loincloths?”
I burst out laughing.
And then, just to tease, I answered, “Totally loincloths.”
His amazing chuckle sounded, we replaced the troll skin to the drawer, but left them open so we could come back.
He then wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and he took me to the loincloths.
Chapter 11
The Zone
My eyes were bleary. My sketchpads were scattered. Pages torn from them were tangled in the mess.
Nova was asleep in a front window. Comet was also asleep, flat on his back on the floor, his pudge spreading, his paws dangling in the air. And Jupiter was batting around one of the many scrunched up rejects of paper I’d tossed aside.
This was in my studio, which was populated with a host of dressmaker dummies, deep shelves stuffed full of bolts of fabrics, a wall of painstakingly organized bins, cannisters, drawers, pots and binders filled with tokens, trimmings, pencils and past sketches.
There were large tables for pinning and cutting.
Tucked by the shelves there was a used mid-level Pro Seam-Stitch I bought that had been malfunctioning, but Mr. Tanugu’s brother fixed it for me.
There was a cozy corner where I had another drafting desk.
In another corner was a counter, a Bev-Buddy and small-size Cook-Companion.
Yet another corner held a curtained dressing area, and in the last, a walled-off bathroom.
But I was ensconced in the center of the room in a loveseat sitting atop a thick, circular rug and flanked by tables where I could put drinks, plates, pencils, pens and swatches.
This was where I was when the display on my Palm lit, and the tinkle of bells (my tone to tell me I had an incoming vid comm) sounded.
I grouchily turned my attention to the display, annoyed I’d been interrupted.
The grouch exited the building, and maybe even the planet, when I saw HRH Prince Aleksei on the display (of course I programmed in the HRH and the Prince, because…duh, it was hilarious and hot).
I snatched it up, saying, “Engage video comm.”
His glorious face filled my screen, and he didn’t look bleary-eyed at all.
“Hey,” I greeted.
“Bloody hell, have you been up all night?” he asked.
I should be concerned about the state of my face.
I was not concerned about the state of my face.
“Look!” I cried, grabbing at the pad I’d set beside my chair.
I showed him the sketch.
“That’s the heroine’s wedding gown,” I announced. I flipped the page. “That’s the gown she’ll wear when she meets the hero.” I tossed the pad aside, seized another one and showed him that. “Hero’s costume for when he battles his first troll. And this!” I exclaimed, flipping the page. “Troll in loincloth!”
His chuckle sounded, and I dropped the pad to see his face soft with humor.
Maybe my favorite look on him, though, it had stiff competition.
“So the answer to my question is…yes. You were up all night,” he remarked.
Again, I should probably worry about looking a fright, but I didn’t. I was far too jazzed, far too hyped, far too caffeinated, and far too happy to be chatting with him.
I also didn’t confirm, because I figured he got the gist.
“Are you on Thoth?” I asked.
“Just finished my first meeting. I have a few minutes before we need to head to lunch for another one.”
He’d finished his first meeting?
He’d already arrived?
I glanced around distractedly. “What time is it?”
“Eleven forty.”
Whoa.
I probably should lay off the coffee, wind down and crash. At least for a few hours. Then I could hit it again.
“Listen, darling, I had a brainstorm,” Aleksei declared. “I’ve asked Sirk to take you to the showing. He’s agreed. Muriel is juggling my schedule in hopes I can get back in time, even if we won’t be at the place to appear in public together yet. But Sirk can take you, and I can trust him with you. My beast considers him a member of my clan, even if we’re different species of shifter. He won’t come off as a threat.”