Butting In by Zenina Masters Read Free Book Online

nieces and nephews coming left and right.”
    He grinned. “Good to know. I was not planning on seeking a mate, but it seems fate has other plans.”
    She looked at his forehead and winced. Gera gathered herself and asked, “So, what kind of a tech company do you have?”
    “We specialise in industrial security. I also have a fashion concern, as well as a jewellery chain.”
    “When you say chain...”
    “I mean chain of stores. My family has been investing in love for centuries.” He smiled.
    “Okay. Good to know. Can I ask why?”
    He winced and rubbed the back of his neck. “Our type of fey is predatory. We feed off the emotions of humans, male or female. The excitement of a new gown or jewellery or online dating is something that we can tap.”
    “Wow. So, that is good to know.” She was trying to keep on the bright side, but a little bit of fear crept in.
    He started to move back through the album. Pictures of his parents through a number of eras were prominent. He and his brother were on every page until they got to the woodcuts.
    “This is my father’s father and mother. They are still both alive, though they don’t interact with the human world much. They find it rather noisy to be in, and cell phones confuse the hell out of them.”
    “What about your mother’s parents?”
    “They left the world together; they had seen their grandchildren grow and the modern world held no mysteries or joy for them.” He sighed. “It was a sad day, a lot of magic left the world with them.”
    He continued to flip backward with the sketches and woodcuts going further and further back in time.
    When they had reached the beginning of the book, he smiled. “So, what about your ancestors?”
    “I have three grandparents still alive. My parents met in their late teens and have been together ever since. I have six sisters and only one of them is younger than I am.”
    He grinned. “Aunts and uncles?”
    “Four aunts and three uncles on my dad’s side, and four uncles on my mother’s. My dad had nerves of steel to ask her out.”
    “Tell me about it.” Riox smiled and sat back.
    She sat back as well and told him about the courtship of her parents. It wasn’t a bad way to spend an evening.
     

Chapter Seven
     
     
    Her voice was hoarse, and she was exhausted when dawn finally alerted her to its presence.
    Riox had relocated them to a couch, and she was leaning her head against his shoulder. “Come on, Gera. It is time to get you to bed.”
    She blinked at him sleepily. “Are you okay?”
    He sighed and reached up to remove the butterfly sutures from his forehead. A light glowed out of the wound, and when it faded, his skin was smooth and perfect.
    She frowned at his head and reached up to touch his forehead. “Well, shit.”
    He laughed and caught her hand, bringing her fingers to his lips. “I am sorry. I thought it would be a good way to get to know you without stumbling over myself, as seems to be my way with you.”
    She nodded sleepily. “Well, I am glad your head is better. I am going to bed now.”
    She pushed against him, but he still had her hand. “I need to go upstairs now. That coffee is demanding an exit.”
    He laughed. “All right. Come on.”
    He got to his feet and pulled her with him. She swayed and rested against his chest for a moment.
    After ten seconds of being hugged by him, she muttered, “This feels lovely, but I have to pee.”
    His shoulders started shaking, which didn’t help her a bit. She pushed away from him and headed for the door, banging into the tables, doorway and anything else that was remotely close to her path.
    Being sleepy was nearly as bad as being tipsy, but it was worse in the way that she made more sense. She remembered every stupid thing she did when she was tired, and it was usually humiliatingly memorable.
    Apparently, this morning was no exception.
    She pulled herself up the gorgeous staircase and headed for her room.
     
    * * * *
     
    Riox watched his