Page 33 of Dark Gambit Reliance

He swallowed. "Perhaps. But first, I want to pamper you. Would you allow me to wash you?"

"I would love that." She toed off her sneakers and started to undress. "Do you have wine? I would love to unwind with a glass."

"Coming right up."

23

SOFIA

Sofia closed her eyes and rested her head on the lip of the tub. It felt heavenly to soak her aching muscles. It was ridiculous that a short climb had been such a strain for her. She walked and jogged nearly daily, but she'd always done it on flat terrain. Climbing used different muscles, and hers were out of shape.

After all, she wasn't an athlete. She was a linguist or used to be.

Did Marcel's people need a translator? What was she going to do in their secluded village? Would she even be invited?

Marcel walked into the bathroom carrying a tray with a bottle of wine, two wine glasses, and an assortment of cheese and fruit. "I'm sorry it took so long. My fridge was empty, so I raided the dining hall kitchen."

Sofia hadn't been hungry until she saw the plate of cheese. "If I ever transition and become a hybrid, I will miss this." She reached for a wedge of Brie. "Most of them can't tolerate dairy or grains."

"I wonder how much the transition will change you." He leaned over and kissed her lips. "You are perfect the way you are, and I don't want you to change too much."

She eyed him from under lowered lashes. "Would it turn you off if I grew fangs?"

"No." He plucked a grape and popped it into his mouth.

"Are you sure?"

"Uh huh." He swallowed what he'd been chewing on. "I think it will be a turn-on."

"You said that one of the hybrids from Jade's former tribe who joined your clan was a female. Does she have fangs?"

"She does. Her name is Aliya, and she looks very Kra-ell, but I find her beautiful despite her alien looks. She's also a nice person."

"What does she do? I mean for work?"

"She works in the village café, and before you ask, she and the other hybrid are a couple. He's a nice guy too. He has a son who is part Kra-ell and part immortal."

"How is that possible?"

Marcel's phone rang before he could answer.

Putting the tray down, he pulled out the phone from his pocket and frowned. "It's Kian."

Sofia's heart skipped a beat. If the boss was calling so late in the day, he must have bad news.

"Hello, Kian," Marcel answered. There was a brief pause, and then Marcel said, "Yes, I'm with Sofia." There was another brief pause. "I'll activate the speaker."

"Hello, Sofia," Kian said. "How are you doing?"

He sounded so gruff that she wondered whether he was using a voice changer.

If he thought to intimidate her with that voice, he would be disappointed. After dealing with Igor, the most intimidating male in the world, she could handle the son of a benevolent goddess.

"Hi. It's nice to finally hear the voice of the mysterious boss, and as for how I'm feeling, I'm soaking in a bathtub, so please don't ask Marcel to switch to video."

Kian barked out a laugh. "Thanks for the warning."

She smiled. "You're most welcome."