Page 26 of Master A-0011

“What?”

The annoyance in the question had me laughing harder. She was adorable. Stunningly gorgeous as she cried. And the way she said my full name.Fuck.I could have come from her saying it alone. I was so hot for her. So desperate to really make her mine.

“You said some beautiful woman out there thinks she found the perfect match. I think you’re stunning,Pearl Mallory. More than some generic term of beautiful. Perfect match? I guess that remains to be seen. I’m not a liar, and I’m damn sure not a cheat. We have so much to learn about each other. What do we have if not time?”

Her eyebrows drew in, and she blinked heavily. An array of emotions flashed, and I felt her body soften against me.

“What are you talking about?”

Again, I kissed her, waiting…seeing. No teeth. No fight. As I lifted, the confusion was still there.

“Would you like to have dinner with me?”

She cringed.

“Not here. Not the roast. We can store it away for later. I want to take you to a restaurant. You can eat whatever you want.”

“Around people?”

Real fear. It won, and her body once again hardened.

“I want to have dinner with you. I won’t hide you in this apartment. Let’s go on a date. We’ll dress up. It’ll be fun.”

Still, she was confused, but the fear was winning. It left her turning her head, and me bringing her back to face me.

“You wanted to know about the Main Master. I’ll tell you why I was meeting with him. I signed a contract.On you. You’re one of us. Of elite blood. It’s time you took your place as the head of your line. You’re not a slave; you’re a Mallory. You’re mine now. For good.”

Gray eyes turned lavender as she scanned my face.

“Say something.”

Her head shook.

“Pearl, I’m keeping you forever. As mine.”

“Out there?”

Her pitch had turned higher at the end, and she mindlessly reached for the scar on her face. My hand gripped hers, and I didn’t break eye contact.

“Out there, for everyone to see. Not as my cook or housekeeper. I’ve made a deal with the Main Master. We’ll marry in the next couple of months before we leave the country.”

“No. Absolutely not.”

I wasn’t prepared for the strength that pushed against me. The top of my body swayed to the side, but I easily righted myself.

“Pearl, this is a new chance at a life stolen from you. You shouldn’t even be here.”

“I like it here. I want to stay.”

“Stay at the Gardens? And do what, butcher my meals? Cook for me?”

“Yes!”

“More thanbewith me?”

“Up there with everyone watching,yes. Do you know what they’re going to say about you?Do you have any idea what they’ll do?Your career will be ruined. No one will ever look at you the same. They’ll call you names. They’ll say you’ve lost your mind. Have you? God, you must have if you’re jumping straight to marriage. Especially to me.”

My jaw tightened through the protectiveness her words caused.