Lore yanked her into his arms and pressed a hard kiss to her lips. “Do not get hurt. Not a single hair.”
Her eyes softened. “I won’t, Lore.”
Reluctantly, he let her go. Madeline glanced at Rillian.
“Let me gain his attention first. Then you can introduce me.” She sauntered toward the alien, her hips swaying in a sensual dance.
Lore’s hands clenched into fists. He hated this.
“Another gladiator falls at the dainty feet of a woman from Earth,” Rillian said.
“Call her dainty to her face, I dare you.”
Rillian smiled. “Oh, no. I know these women are fierce under their soft, small bodies.”
Lore forced himself to take a long, calming breath. “Go. Introduce her and keep her safe. Anything goes wrong, and Sile won’t be the only one to feel the edge of my sword.”
Rillian inclined his head, and followed Madeline.
Lore stuck to the shadows, but moved as close as he could to where Sile was sitting. Most of his guards were reptilian as well, but from a variety of species. He saw the instant the man noticed Madeline walking through the crowd, his gaze zeroing in on her.
A moment later, Rillian appeared by her side and Lore could tell Sile wasn’t very happy about that. When Rillian nodded to Sile, the reptilian waved them closer.
Madeline smiled a sultry, come-hither smile at the alien.
It made Lore realize that she’d never smiled at him like that. He watched her walk into Sile’s little lair, and he cursed.
One wrong move, and Lore would snatch her up and get her out of there.
***
Madeline stared at the ugly creature.
His skin looked like parched earth, cracked under a dying sun, and while he had a humanoid shape, she could see a long tail. His long mouth was full of teeth, but his eyes—green with a large elongated pupil—held intelligence. And were cold…so very, very cold.
“Rillian,” Sile drawled, his voice deep and husky.
“Sile. Enjoying the party?” Rillian sat on a couch and Madeline sat beside him.
“Not nearly as much as you must be with this delicious creature by your side.” His eyes stayed locked on Madeline.
“Sile, this is Maddy. She is a friend of mine.”
Madeline forced a smile. “I asked Rillian to introduce me. I hear you’re an important man.” She edged closer to Sile, ensuring the slit in her dress fell open. If he liked smooth skin, she’d make sure he got an eyeful.
“Where are you from?”
“All over.” She smiled again, trying to think of this just like any meeting she’d been to where she’d needed her poker face to keep her true feelings hidden. “You own casinos.” She let her voice turn breathy.
“I do, sweet thing.”
Did he mean sweet to look at or sweet to taste? Ugh. It unsettled Madeline’s stomach to think of him eating people. “I like casinos, but gambling is…boring.” She pouted.
“Boring?” Sile said, surprised.
“It’s monotonous. Like I always tell Rillian, I like more…action and excitement. I love going to the arena to watch the fights.”
Sile grunted. “There are bloodier shows than the arena.”
“Oh?” She feigned surprise. “I can’t imagine that.” She licked her lips, and Sile’s reptilian gaze moved there.
“Yes, sweet thing. I know of one coming up.” He leaned forward, touching her thigh. “Right here.”
“Here?” She looked at the boxing ring. “This is just a silly boxing match.”
Sile shook his head. “Not in this ring. Beneath it.”
Her eyes widened. “Wow! Beneath here?”
“I’m assured it will be a fight to rival all fights.”
“When?”
He shrugged. “I haven’t been told yet. Rillian here doesn’t have a ticket, but I do.” Sile’s chest puffed out. “I could get you in…as my special guest.”
She saw hunger in his gaze now, but for the life of her, Madeline couldn’t tell if it was sexual or physical appetite.
Not in this lifetime, ugly. “I think I’d—oh—” she pressed a hand to her stomach, feigning pain “—I’m sorry, I need the restroom. Now!”
Sile frowned. “Are you ill?”
She waved a hand at him. “Oh, it’s nothing. I just recovered from a nasty illness. Couldn’t keep anything in. It was coming out at all ends.” She widened her eyes and clapped a hand over her mouth. “I think, I think…”
Sile looked alarmed now, waving her off. Rillian grabbed her elbow and they hurried away, Sile’s guards parting fast to let them through.
“Nice job,” Rillian murmured as the crowd swallowed them.