Chapter 3 003

"I'm sorry." The words were spoken softly and she reached up to touch his cheek. "Did I do..."

"No." His sigh was heartfelt and he took her hand in his. "I want to take you to my home. I'll give you a place to stay until we can figure something else out."

"Y-your home? "J-just the two of us?"

"Oh, no. My brother and his mate live with me and we have a houseful of servants, Kinlye. You'll be well chaperoned, I promise."

"All right." The words were spoken almost too softly to be heard. "I thank you, Christian. I owe you more than I can ever repay."

"It is my honor, my lady." He lifted her hand to his lips, lingering against her palm. "My home is only a few blocks away. I can hail a cab..." He cocked his head to the side.

"No, oh no, Christian. I can walk. It's no problem." She smiled up at him when he tucked her hand on his arm and then matched his long stride to her smaller one. "You are a kind man, Christian, a good man."

He laughed, his blue eyes dancing as he gazed down at her. "It's easy to be kind to a woman like you, Kinlye. I will admit that I find you fascinating."

"I'm not." Her face became rosy and she couldn't meet his eyes.

Christian chuckled, enjoying her reaction to his words. She was fascinating. This city became much more interesting than it had been before he'd gone on his walk today. She was not only lovely, her fiery hair blowing around an angelic face. Her eyes, those gorgeous green orbs that seemed so shy and ladylike, glinted with an independent spirit that called to him.

But it was her scent that had pulled him in until he knew it would be torture to let her go. Her scent was luscious, sweet with a hint of spiciness that left him knowing she'd be a hellion in the sheets. It wasn't the reason he'd offered her a haven in his home, but it had helped him to decide.

He stopped walking in front of a wide staircase that led to two thick oak doors. Two huge white lions, trapped forever in an aggressive stance, guarded the doors.

"This is yours?"

"Yes," he smiled at the sound of shock in her voice. Then he led her up the stairs, watching as the doors opened before he even got close to them. "Leonard."

The man behind the door, an older man dressed nattily in an immaculate jacket and white shirt, a cravat wrapped around his neck, causing his collar to stand stiffly next to his chin. "Master Christian." Leonard's voice was deep and as grizzled as his face. "Your brother and Master Nikolai are in the green salon."

Christian nodded and then drew Kinlye forward. "This is Miss Kinlye, Leonard. She will be staying with us for a while."

"Shall I prepare the Rose suite, sir?"

"That would be perfect. Bring Kinlye a tray in the green salon as well, Leonard."

Kinlye nodded at Leonard before turning her gaze on Christian. "I could work for my keep, Christian. I don't need a suite, just a room with a bed and to know what you need doing."

He drew her hand up to his lips again, breathing in her scent. It was delicious and he forced himself to let her go. "That is not necessary, Kinlye. I shall enjoy having you as a guest to the house for however long you wish to stay."

"But..."

"No, Kinlye. I'm not even going to discuss this with you. You shall be staying in the Rose suite and as soon as possible, I will have Mrs. Toombs have you fitted and have a wardrobe prepared for you."

"Christian, I can't let you do that."

"You aren't letting me do anything, Kinlye. You will need clothing and I can very well afford to purchase one for you. You will be expected to be my hostess while you are here and I would think it would be embarrassing to be seen in the same...outfit day after day. Please, Kinlye, don't argue with me about this. Let me enjoy this."

"You'll enjoy spending money on me?"

"Oh yes." He cocked his brow at her, waiting to see if she would argue more. When she took a big breath and opened her mouth, he drew his finger down her nose before touching the tip to her lips. They were soft and sensuous and he ran his finger across her lower lip. "I want to do this, Kinlye."

His finger tickled her lip and she drew her head back slowly, her tongue coming out to dampen her lips. "How can I say no?"

"You can't."

"But...I will pay you back, somehow."

"We shall see, Kinlye." He tugged on her hand, laying it once more on his arm. "I want to introduce you to my brother."

"I'd like that." She walked next to him as he led the way to an archway. She could see the pale green walls, the patterned silk that covered those walls. Beautiful water-colored paintings were on those walls and a cheery fire was burning in the white painted fireplace. "This is beautiful."

Christian smiled at the awe in her voice. "It's a room, Kinlye."

She didn't have a chance to say anymore as a man with black hair and blue eyes, eyes that looked remarkably like Christian's stood, holding his hand out to another man, who took it and rose as well.