In this scene, Senth and NarrAy have just met. She's considering whether to hire Senth to steal back the designs for a prototype her murdered parents designed. Because she's a Better, an enhanced human with addictive pheromones, she's not permitted to touch anyone skin-to-skin. Her pheromones attract without emotional attachment on her part, so she's accustomed to being the object of unwanted attention.
Senth puts on gloves and prepares to shake her hand. All her life, NarrAy has been isolated from touch, so this moment is critical...
NarrAy offered her hand. She'd practiced this with her father as a girl. "A gentleman doesn't try to overpower a lady's hand, NarrAy. But he isn't afraid to be firm either."
She held his gloved hand between both of hers. "I can see you're a gentleman, Mr. Antonello."
His cheeks reddened. "Just Senth, ma'am."
She squeezed his hand. "And I'm NarrAy. Never Ms. Jorlan, nor ma'am. Not on this job. Understood?"
He met her gaze. "Does that mean you want me?" He blushed again and glanced down at their still-joined hands. "For the job, I mean."
She bit back a laugh. What an innocent. "So long as we're clear on who's in charge."
"When it comes to theft, I am. For everything else, you are, in every way."
You have no idea. She grinned at him. He had never once tried to look at her body. Maybe this dress will be okay after all.
"Come sit." She gestured toward an adjacent room. "Let's talk business."
Bro, Antonello Brothers Prequel
The tech Senth is about to claim will make him invisible. Finally, the young halfbreed thief will be out of sight and far from the taunts humans throw at him. But when that tech reveals he has a human half-brother who's bound by a cruel slaver, Senth must find a way to win his brother's freedom and save him from abuse -- even though Senth is a slave himself.
When you can make yourself invisible, you reveal invisible truth.
Get Behind the Brothers, an inside look at the characters and story behind Bro. Sign up for one of Kayelle's reader groups and get this booklet, advanced notice when the book is ready, and much more. https://kayelleallen.com/readergroups/
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Love that he blushed. He’s charming. I can see why he’s a good thief.
I wanted to write a gender reversal story. Here, the experienced older woman seduces the inexperienced young virgin. Writing Senth is always a joy. He is funny and sweet, but also a little snarky! 🙂
Polite and professional, what nicer qualities could you want in a thief?
LOL And it doesn’t hurt any that this one is cute. 😉
Such a great excerpt. He’s a bit innocent in some ways. She definitely isn’t.
Oh, so true. About both. lol Thank you!
Very interesting interaction between these two. I like their dynamic.
Thanks so much, Ed. 🙂