Lion of Midnight by Aliyah Burke Page B

a damn about the rules. He continued his vigilant watch while she wiped her plate clean with a last bit of the roll.
    With a soft sigh, she placed her fork, prongs down, and knife on the plate. “That was, by far, the best meal I’ve eaten while in this country. Hell, the best meal I’ve eaten in a long time.”
    Swallowing, he set the remainder of his food down. “I’m so glad you enjoyed it.”
    “It was amazing.” A cute chuckle left her. “In fact, that’s how I’d describe this whole day.” Cleo looked at him and smiled. “Thank you, for everything.”
    He felt like he’d handed her a star. No, a galaxy. Her eyes shone, and he fell deeper in love. Pushing away from the table, he stood and walked around to her side and inhaled the compilation of scents that surrounded her. Another tremor of lust rocketed through his body.
    “Dessert?” he asked.
    “Oh, no, I couldn’t. Between this meal and the cake I had at Mihailov’s, I’m stuffed.” Placing her hand in his, she got to her feet, as well. Then, to his shock and amazement, she began gathering the dishes. “Can you point me in the direction of the kitchen, please?”
    Wrapping one hand around her delicate wrist, he shook his head. “You don’t need to do this. It will be taken care of.”
    “Nonsense. It won’t take me long to do these up.” She tugged her hand free.
    “Cleo, you are a guest in my home.” His heart skipped as she met his gaze.
    “I know. Now…the kitchen, please. And bring your dishes.”
    Managed. I’m being managed . Tamping down the urge to hold her, Nik ran his tongue over his teeth and moved to his end of the table. It didn’t take long and he was leading the way through the house to the kitchen. Laughter filled his head as he strode along, laughter that sounded suspiciously like his brother’s.
    It seemed like he blinked and she was making herself at home in his spotless kitchen. She began filling a stainless steel sink with water before bending over and giving him a lovely view of her delicious derriere as she hunted for something. Dish soap.
    “I’ll have these done in a jiff,” she said over her shoulder, and her hands delved into the sudsy water.
    Nik didn’t know what to do. Most women he knew wanted a dishwasher or a person to clean up after them. But not her, not Cleo. She’d ordered him around in his own house, and now, she stood in the kitchen, his kitchen , dimly lit by two recessed lights over her head.
    “And, what am I supposed to do while my guest does dishes?” he asked, crossing his arms.
    Sending him a brief but heated glance over her shoulder, she quipped, “Surely, you can put water on for tea.”
    That’s it, keep on sassing. Won’t be so smug when I have you bent over that counter. “That is something I think I can handle.” Moving to the large oven, he turned on a single burner on the range and placed the filled teapot on the blue flames.
    “Good,” she quipped.
    “Get to work, woman,” he snapped playfully as he moved to the island in the middle of the room and leaned against it. Her gentle laughter flowed over him, and it warmed him throughout. “What kind of tea would you like?”
    “Cocoa.” A short pause. “With marshmallows.”
    He looked at her and arched a brow. Cleo never faced him, so he stood there for a moment as she continued to wash. From tea to cocoa… Well, he was learning about her.
    She was right; it didn’t take her long to finish, and soon, she was sitting on a stool, her fingers wrapped around an oversized mug filled full of cocoa. Nikolas busied himself with sifting through the cupboards to find her some marshmallows. He didn’t know why she wanted them, but if he had to wake up his staff to get them for her, he would. If it took going to town to get them, he would. His fingers closed around the bag, and he pulled them out with a triumphant grin.
    “Your marshmallows, my lady.” Opening the bag, he set it on the marbled countertop before her. He bit