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Lachlan’s answering smile was wolfish. “Fae appetites are insatiable—all of our appetites.”
Oh, holy shit. I was suddenly glad I had a drink in my hands. I hoped he didn’t notice the way my fingers trembled as I raised it to my lips. The whiskey scorched a line of fire through me, giving me the courage to ask what I really wanted to know. “And will you be taking part in this debauchery? Because if so, I think I should stay on another floor.”
If he was planning on bringing people home, I wanted my own zip code.
“Would it bother you if I did?”
Something twisted in my gut at the idea of Lachlan in these great, big rooms, surrounded by beautiful fae intent on serving the prince in whatever fashion he desired.
“No.” I schooled my face into indifference. “Do whoever you want.”
His smile told me he knew I was lying. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“And I’ll do the same.” I knew I was creeping too close to the line we’d drawn before, wondering if he would reinforce it or erase it entirely.
“Unfortunately, I’m unlikely to enjoy myself at all during the festivities. There are details to be worked out.” He rattled the ice in his glass, the sound of it wearing on my already frayed nerves. “I’m afraid I won’t have as much fun as the others.”
The others would have fun. Not him. Not me. There was no mistaking the implication of that single word. Another test or perhaps bait. I wouldn’t bite. “So, you’re just going to sit in smoke-filled rooms and do what, exactly?”
“I told you there would be pissing contests.” His mouth set in a grim line, and he poured another drink. “And, as for the smoke-filled rooms, we are not actually in hell, contrary to whatever you believe. However, there will probably be cigars.”
“Of course there will be.” I shook my head. “And while you are doing that and the others are doing…each other, what am I supposed to do? Sit around and wait for you?”
“I suppose the idea of you pining for me is out of the question,” he said flatly. Lachlan crossed the room and dropped into a worn leather armchair. He shifted his legs, the rippling silk of his pants catching his groin just enough to make my mouth go dry. “You won’t be alone, but it’s safer if you stick near me at night.”
I studied him for a moment, studied the slight tick of his jaw, how his fingers drummed on his glass. Not as calm and collected as he pretended to be.
“Should I warn you if I…meet someone?”
I was paddling into dangerous water. On the surface, it looked calm, but nothing was ever as it seemed with him. Not with that dark magic that poured off him, magnetic and alluring. His fingers tightened around his glass, but his face betrayed no emotion. “There’s no need.”
This was becoming dangerous, but I pushed forward, testing his boundaries. “Why? Because I’m not allowed to participate in the debauchery? You seemed to imply earlier that I needed to get into trouble.”
“You have to crawl before you can walk, princess.”
“Is that a yes?”
He studied the ice cracking in his glass a little too intently. “Hoping someone will catch your eye?”
“I’m just asking,” I said coolly. “I wouldn’t want to upset you if I invited someone back to your quarters. Or multiple someones.”
“That is entirely up to you. I wouldn’t want you to get…bored.”
I could feel it tugging at my core—the riptide that wanted to drag me under. Even as Lachlan continued to glare at his drink, I felt the current changing around us, shifting. My body responded instantly, heat and danger swirling through my limbs and settling into a low simmer. I shifted, but the sensation only grew.
“Noted,” I said, unsteady. “I will endeavor to entertain myself.”
His dark gaze trailed from my head to my toes, undressing me slowly like he had the night we met. And just like that night, I needed to stay in control. I hated that he had this effect on me. Hated it—and loved it. To have this powerful man focused solely on me was…intoxicating.
His eyes bored into mine, the battle he was waging clear on his face. “Cate.”
My name on his lips undid me completely.
I needed to get out of the room immediately, before I did something I couldn’t take back, like actually remove my clothes and beg him to be the one who entertained me. In any and every way. I cleared my throat. “Good. If that’s settled, I think I’ll find my room.”
“Mine is the first on the left,” he told me. “But if you want to share…”
He’d known exactly what I was thinking, as usual. I couldn’t let him get the upper hand. “Pass.” I pinned a saccharine smile on my face. “I’ll make sure to choose the room that’s farthest away. You know, in case I bring someone back. I wouldn’t want to keep you up.”