Chapter 4 004

"My brother, Kinlye, this is Raphael and his mate, Nikolai. Rafe, this lovely lady is Kinlye Smalley. She rescued me this morn from the advances of a very aggressive sales lady."

Kinlye had worried about how Christian would explain their meeting and she couldn't help but smile as he made her out to be a hero. "It was nothing," she said softly as Rafe moved around the cream and sea green striped sofa to come and lift her hand from Christian's arm. He kissed it gently.

"Thank you, Kinlye. You must be awfully brave."

"I try." She glanced over at Nikolai, who'd also moved and stood next to Raphael. "Mate?" The term confused her.

"Nikolai is my companion, Kinlye. Say hello, Nikky." Nikky smiled, his teeth glinting behind red lips. His eyes were a soulful brown, soft, and very young-looking. They blended well with the soft golden curls that encircled his head. He held his hand out to her and she slipped hers into it.

The cold shocked her, especially since the room was so warm with the fire. Nikky lifted her hand to his lips and she shivered.

"What's wrong, Kinlye?"

She glanced up at Christian. "Nothing." But she untangled her hand; clasping it in her other hand as Christian guided her around the sofa the two men were sitting upon. There was another that matched it and he sank, pulling her down with him.

"Kinlye is going to be staying with us for a while, Rafe."

"Marvelous." Rafe's smile was wide and genuine and Kinlye couldn't help but like him. "We do have plans for this evening, though, Christian."

Christian smiled. "That's great, Rafe. Kinlye's had a rough day. I bet she'd be glad for an early evening."

Leonard suddenly appeared in the doorway. The man was so quiet, he startled Kinlye. He sat the heavy tray of food he carried in front of her, nodding at the men, then left as quietly as he'd arrived. The tray had delicacies that could tempt even the most finicky of eaters and Christian reached out, lifting a pitcher of milk and pouring Kinlye a glass.

"Eat your fill, Kinlye," he urged.

"But what about you?"

Christian smiled as he glanced at the other men. "I gorged myself earlier when I was in town. Don't worry about me." He held out the glass of milk until she took it from him and took a small sip. It was thick and rich, still warm from the cow. He loaded up a plate for her and she nibbled a bit of everything he'd put on it until she was full. It was the most she'd had to eat in a while and she barely stifled a yawn as she finished her glass of milk.

Christian smiled at her milky white mustache, taking her napkin and dabbing it from her lip. "I think Kinlye has had it for today."

"Oh yes. Goodnight Rafe, Nikky. It was wonderful to meet you. Thank you for opening your home to me." She rose, her hand upon her stomach, then reached out to take the hand that Christian held out to her.

"You'll see plenty of them, Kinlye." He tucked her hand onto his arm and led her out of the salon and toward the wide stairs that curved around toward the second story. "You'll probably grow sick of them."

"No, Christian. You all have been so kind to me. I could never grow sick of them. I do wish you'd reconsider and let me work to earn my keep."

"Kinlye, I do a lot of entertaining, and as you can guess, Nikky and Rafe's relationship can be a little difficult to explain to some people. Having a beautiful and intelligent woman as hostess will take a lot of the pressure off of Rafe. They can go about their own business with you here. It is the perfect solution." Christian brought her hand to his lips, his cold lips. They sent a strange thrill through her and she found herself breathless.

"If...if you're sure, Christian. As long as you think I will be helpful. But if the day comes that I am no longer help and become a hindrance...you will tell me."

"I promise." His smile was wide and he passed a couple of doors before coming to one that was open. "This is the Rose suite." He drew her through the doorway and then stopped to watch the look in her eyes.

They were wide and she couldn't seem to take it all in. The walls were soft rose silk from the chair railing up. From the chair railing down was white paneling. The furniture was light-weight oak, pale and lovely against the deeper rose carpets. On one table was a huge bouquet of roses in different colors from white to a pale lilac that was unlike any she'd seen before. "You're not seriously....you can't mean for me to have a room like this. It's too grand, Christian."

"I think it's a perfect fit, Kinlye. I think it's exactly right for you. And yes, I seriously mean this for you. I don't think you've been given enough in your short life, Kinlye. I think you deserve surprises and luxury, and I plan to make sure that you get them."

"But..." Her eyes were huge as they looked up at him and she took a step closer to him, her other hand coming up to rest against his chest. "I'm no lady, Christian. You saw my brother; you know what he wanted to do to me."

"What are you really afraid of, Kinlye?" His hands went to her upper arms and he drew her even closer. "Are you afraid that I will try to take advantage of you? Do you think I'm like your brother and that I have no conscience? Are you afraid that I'll try to seduce you?" He drew her up so that she was against his chest and her hands were flattened against him. Then he bent his head and his cold lips were on hers.