Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(108)
“Here. Try this.” Giselle handed Riley a glass. “Oh, hello Regent Feroze.”
“Greetings,” Feroze said with stilted politeness.
“Have you met Riley? She just arrived on Cadi.”
Riley cast the man a broad smile as she overtly slid her eyes from his tooled leather boots up to his long, black hair. She made a point of lingering on the swath of bare chest revealed beneath his fancy waistcoat. It lacked the muscle definition Cyprian possessed. Back home, Riley often dated lanky guys, like Feroze. Now they just seemed pathetic. There was something insanely erotic having a powerful man take you in hand. Riley wanted to groan at how the general had ruined the way she viewed men. But she didn’t let the agitation reach her face. Instead, she admired Feroze like he was the best thing since sliced bread.
“No, I haven’t. Greetings,” Feroze said with a bow and a cocky smile. Her perusal hadn’t gone unnoticed.
“Are you okay chatting with Feroze, while I take these drinks to the girls?” Giselle asked.
“Of course,” Riley said with a nod.
Giselle headed off, leaving Riley to her machinations.
“Your hair is longer than mine. It’s exceptional. Paired with your jacket it’s rather fetching.”
Riley complimented the man’s hair, which nearly reached his knees. Hair like that was a statement.
“Thank you,” Feroze said as he ran a practiced hand through it. “You are the little female that was just liberated.”
“Yes. It was awful. You wouldn’t believe the brutes I was subjected to. There weren’t gentlemen like you there,” Riley demurred from beneath shuttered lashes.
Feroze didn’t pull away when she leaned in, playing the damsel in distress.
“I’m sure it was a terrible ordeal for you. But the general retrieved you safely,” Feroze said as he glanced through the crowd.
Riley followed his gaze to see Cyprian standing several yards away, scowling. Riley didn’t know what Mave had communicated to Feroze, so she decided to stick as close to the truth as possible.
“That man is worse than the smugglers, if you ask me. Yes, he got me back here safely, but do you have any idea what he did in the meantime,” Riley let some of her real emotions shine through, as her voice wavered. “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to forget all that.” Riley frowned. “Maybe you and I can have a drink, and you can tell me about the wonders of Cadi instead.”
Riley repressed a smile when she saw Feroze’s eyes brighten with amusement. He obviously enjoyed hearing her denigrate the general.
Don’t get your hopes up buddy. You’re not half the man Cyprian is.
Riley was pissed at Cyprian, but he was still more honorable than Feroze by leaps and bounds.
“My pleasure. I see some seats in the shade. Here. Try this vinum,” Feroze said as he handed Riley a glass of something that tasted like wine, but was a tad stronger.
Riley followed Feroze to a small table at the edge of the crowded courtyard. She took the seat next to Feroze, making sure she was close and on the same side as the pocket holding his communicator.
“You were going to tell me about Cadi.”
“It is a glorious planet. But I believe that my province offers the best scenery. I have a small villa in the south, situated on the cliffs of the Painted Canyon. Nothing rivals the views from my balcony, when the sun sets and the stars come out.”
Riley wanted to gag. Feroze was trying to be charming, but it came off as arrogant instead.
You’ve sweet talked worse.
She took a big swig of her drink, to loosen up.
“I bet you have seen many wondrous things,” Riley husked.
As she leaned in close, her hand inched toward Feroze’s pocket, beneath the table. Just as her hand reached the flap, the damn device pinged. Before she had a chance to pull away, Feroze reached down and discovered her outstretched hand. Riley grabbed his thigh instead. Feroze’s eyes swung to hers.
“I hope you’re not offended, but when I see something I like, I don’t let it get away.” Riley stared boldly into his dark eyes.
“You have good taste. I must answer this, but don’t go anywhere. I will get you another drink,” Feroze said, while running a finger up her bare arm as he stood.
“Please. I’ll be waiting.” Riley smiled seductively.
Riley glanced several tables away, making eye contact with Providence, who was seated with her two men. She subtly shook her head, indicating she didn’t have the device yet.
“What exactly do you think you are doing?” Cyprian demanded.
Riley’s head spun to see the general looming over her. To say he was unhappy was an understatement. His brow was furrowed, and his jaw clenched, making the muscle stand out.