Ecstasy Untamed (Feral Warriors #6)(13)

Faith grinned. Everything about Kara appeared open and genuine and friendly, and Faith liked her at once.

Kara returned her grin. "I like your hair."

Faith dipped her head, still smiling. "Thank you."

"Would you like me to show you to your room so you can freshen up before the reception?"

"Faith will share my room." Maxim's autocratic tone had her stiffening. His words had her pulling away. She barely knew the man. Coming to America with him was bad enough. But sharing a room? A bed?

Kara seemed to read her thoughts. "You could borrow my room for a while." She glanced up at Lyon, a smile lighting her eyes. "I never use it."

I belong to Maxim. The thought hit her again, accompanied by a sudden, odd need to stay near him. Should she share his room? That connection pulled so strongly, she almost said yes. But . . . no. She needed to shower and change, and the thought of doing those in front of him, let alone anything else, didn't appeal. Not . . . yet.

Faith nodded. "Thank you, Kara. I'd appreciate the use of your room." She felt Maxim's disapproval and turned to meet his hard gaze. "For now. Until we know one another a little better."

Maxim didn't argue, but his expression turned glacial, and she knew she'd embarrassed him by rebuffing him in front of the other men. A small frisson of unease slid over her flesh. Unhappiness twisted her gut. This wasn't the right way for things to be starting between them. The thought of sharing a room with him should excite her, shouldn't it? If Hawke had asked her to share his room . . .

The thought sent a sudden and startling flush of heat spiraling through her body. Her cheeks grew warm with dismay.

"Ready?" Kara asked, then turned and led them up one flight of stairs and down the hall to the biggest bedchamber Faith had ever seen. A huge bed took up a fraction of the room, dark red velvet curtains hanging from the rails across the top and tied at each of the four bedposts. The bedspread was gold silk, the walls papered in deep greens, reds, and golds. Even the ceiling had been decorated - a full mural of cherubs - making her heart pinch with the thought of how Paulina would love such artwork.

"It's beautiful," Faith murmured.

"It's a bit much." Kara shrugged. "But it's been the Radiant's room since Feral House was built."

"I assume the Chief's is larger," Maxim said stiffly.

Kara gave him a bemused look. "No. Actually, mine is the largest. The Feral Warriors want their Radiant to be happy here. They shower her with luxuries." She gave Faith a wry smile. "If she wants them. My tastes are much simpler than the previous Radiant's." She glanced at Maxim. "Your room is on the third floor. We thought we'd give you an hour to freshen up before the reception. Is that enough?"

"That is adequate." Maxim turned to Faith. "Wait for me to collect you."

Faith nodded, then suddenly remembered . . . "My duffel. It's with your luggage."

"Just a duffel?" Kara smiled. "I'll bring it to you on my way back down."

A few minutes later, Kara returned, Faith's duffel hanging from her shoulder. "Here you go. Do you need anything else?"

Faith hesitated. It wouldn't take her more than twenty minutes to shower and dress for the reception and dinner. Sitting in here by herself for an hour was the last thing she wanted to do when Feral House was just waiting to be explored.

"Is there a kitchen where I could find something to drink? Perhaps fruit juice or a Coca-Cola?"

Kara's smile bloomed. "Come on."

Faith followed Kara down the stairs, through the now-empty foyer, and down the hall to a large dining room as beautifully decorated as the rest of the house. As she entered the room, she spied Hawke sitting at the huge dining table talking with Vhyper.

Hawke saw her and smiled, sending her pulse into a flutter. Vhyper acknowledged her with a nod that was neither friendly nor unfriendly.

"Faith's thirsty," Kara announced cheerily as she led Faith through the room, toward a door at the far end.

Out of the corner of her eye, Faith watched Hawke rise and start after them. The excited pleasure the realization triggered had her feeling a moment's guilt. Then again, what woman wouldn't get a thrill from having a Feral Warrior smile at her? Hawke was just being friendly. And she was just a little starstruck. That was all.

Kara pushed through the swinging door. Faith followed, feeling Hawke's presence at her back, watching as one muscular arm reached over her head to hold the door open for her. Warmth spread through her body, the desire to grin nearly overwhelming her. Voices carried from deeper in the kitchen, a youthful male's and a high-pitched but pleasant female's.

Kara stopped so suddenly that Faith nearly ran into her, and turned a worried gaze to Hawke. "I should have warned her."

"She'll do fine," he said quietly. As Faith looked up at him questioningly, he met her gaze with a warmth that curled her toes. He spoke quickly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Pink is half-flamingo and very self-conscious. I'll explain more later."

Faith nodded, her attention split between his intriguing words and the delight that danced inside her at his attention. At his nearness. She felt . . . quivery. Unsettled. Like a kid with her first crush.

Good grief. That was exactly what she felt like. Which was ridiculous, of course. She'd just met the man. And she was marrying another.