Resurrection by Anita Cox Read Free Book Online

some of the Centaurs’ needs. As we move to a more peaceful time, we need to make adjustments as needed. It isn’t our wish to micromanage your lives. It is our position that you all are individuals with needs and desires. Do as you wish. For those of you with concerns please know Zoltar has given his word, his men will not join with any mated female without her partner’s consent. Now that I’ve given you plenty to discuss over dinner, let’s eat.”
    He took three giant steps until he was sitting across from Grace. “Well that was uncomfortable.”
    “What sort of pain are they in?” Wendy felt her face burn with embarrassment as the question crossed her lips.
    He sighed. “A lot of emotional suffering from what I gather. Playing around with hormones doesn’t come without repercussion. From what I understand, they’ve all been keeping a tight wrap on things since approaching us at our wedding. They’re starting to have breakdowns.”
    She fidgeted with the napkin in front of her then slowly scooted her chair back, stood and walked over to Zoltar. “Excuse me,” she said as she placed her hand on his shoulder.
    “Wendy?” He looked up at her, his eyes wide.
    “I think I owe you an apology. Would you please join us at our table?” She didn’t care that her face burned red with embarrassment this time. It was small penance for being so rude.
    He nodded and followed her. “What made you change your mind?” he asked as he sat.
    “I was rude. It was uncalled for. I wanted to say something at the time, but Roman came in and started making the announcement.” She shook her head. “It delayed me for a few.”
    Gazing down toward the table, his brows pulled together. “I was beginning to worry I had offended you.”
    Her heart sank. Here she was brooding over being lonely and this man…this man was so nice and she had been less than nice.
    “So am I forgiven?”
    He smiled at her. “Nothing to forgive.”
    Trays of food were served, giving her a much needed distraction. When the lid was lifted on her plate, her mouth watered. A porterhouse steak, a baked sweet potato and sautéed green beans glistened on the plate. Now she had to figure out how to devour this meal without looking like a pig. She cut a slice of meat and took a bite. “Wow, this is fantastic.”
    From across the table Roman waved his fork in a circle. “We have some of the best cooks we could find. Of course the students won’t be eating like this but with so much work going on, we need our workers strong and healthy. A good hot meal at the end of the day makes a huge difference.” He smiled as he crammed a huge chunk of steak in his mouth. “Plus men like steak.”
    “Men? Women like steak!” She cut off a big hunk of her own and shoved it in her mouth. “Pup.”
    With a roll of the eyes, he chuckled. She’d always thought of him like a little brother. He and Colin had been so close it was hard to think of him as anything less.
    “Z, I know I’ve said it a million times already. But you have really done something special here. The building is fantastic.” She nudged him. “You’re quite the engineer.”
    Thick lips curved into a smile that he attempted to hide as he wiped his mouth with the napkin. “I’ll take all of the compliments you can dish out.” He folded his napkin neatly before placing it on his plate. “The meal was fantastic, Roman. Good choice on those cooks! I haven’t had a steak cooked this perfectly in ages.”
    There was pride in the smile Roman returned to him.
    Zoltar leaned over toward her. “If I can push just a little, I was wondering if you’d honor me with your company. I’d like to share a glass of wine with you and a chat, if that’s okay with you?”
    She opened her mouth to object.
    He interrupted before she could speak. “I promise to stay as honorable as I have all day.”
    Snapping her mouth shut before she could object and offend him again, she let a smile spread across her lips