In this scene from At the Mercy of Her Pleasure, NarrAy and Encie, one of her aides, have just observed a quick interchange between Senth and NarrAy's other aide, Broxus, and mistakes what and who Senth likes.
The reality is, Broxus had thought Senth was attracted to Encie when Senth had actually meant he likes NarrAy. Because the women had showed up while they were talking, Senth and Broxus had resorted to a kind of code.
The result? NarrAy has completely misread the situation.
He likes who?
NarrAy bit out a curse and folded her arms.
"What?" Encie sidled closer.
"He likes Brox."
"Senth? No."
"Why else would he look so embarrassed? And come on, helping Brox with his tie? Since when did Brox ever care about that? It's obvious Senth likes him and they wanted to be alone."
"No way." Encie shook her head. "Brox is not interested in his own gender."
"How would you know?"
Encie wiggled her eyebrows.
"You and... No." Brox's door remained shut. NarrAy squinted. "When?"
"Before we came to work for you. We're long since over each other."
"So..." NarrAy turned back to her. "You don't think..."
"I know for a fact that Brox isn't."
NarrAy tapped a finger against her lips. "Good."
Encie leaned closer. "There's one way to find out. Touch him."
"No. Besides, Senth is on Shackle."
"Think of it as a challenge. Can your pheromones beat the drug?"
"No." Folding her arms, NarrAy turned away. "That wouldn't be right."
"You've been flirting with Senth since he got in the car back in town. Don't even try to tell me you don't like him." A hand on her hip, Encie gave her an arch look. "He and his brother are the hottest things I've seen in weeks. Did you see the abs on him? I almost swallowed my tongue."
NarrAy paced the room, her pulse heightening.
Senth's door opened, and he came out dressed in immaculate black-and-white evening attire. Black tie against his throat, loose curls brushing his shoulders. The suit accented his wide shoulders and narrow waist. He looked every bit as rich as he was supposed to look. Those diamond studs were no doubt real, and probably stolen. What thief would buy those things?
His big, pale blue cat-eyed gaze focused on her, causing NarrAy to tingle all over. He looked away and adjusted a diamond cufflink.
Senth's untutored vulnerability and restrained sensuality lashed at her senses. Sweet, charming, intelligent. All the man needed now was the right woman to awaken his passion.
NarrAy strolled toward him.
Book Hooks is a weekly cooperative blog hop hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog.