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“I wasn't asking for more sex.” He got out of bed and waved at the secured bottles of liquor on a shelf near the dining table. “Would you like a drink?”

“Actually, I didn't come to be a possessive beast,” I said, fastening my pants.

“No?” Aras smirked. “Then why are you here, Ly?”

“To invite you to the theater. Tonight.” I glanced at his clock, then said, “In three hours.”

“Three hours?” He gaped at me.

“Yes, I know it's last minute. I'm sorry. I was meeting with the theater managers today, and they reminded me that I have a private box. They were so excited when I said I might attend tonight's performance. I'd hate to disappoint them.”

“Oh, no, we can't disappoint a bunch of actors. The weeping would be terrible.”

I chuckled. “Indeed. Then you will go with me?”

Aras's grin went lopsided. He leaned against the table and crossed his arms. Nonchalant, despite his nudity. “Is this a date?”

I grimaced. “What else would it be?”

“I just . . .” He dropped his arms, his expression breaking to show me some adorable vulnerability beneath. “I've never been asked on a date before.”

“What?” I scowled at him. “Never?”

“No.” He flung open a trunk and started pulling out clothing. “Uh, what does a man wear to the theater? Is this all right?” He held up a pair of leather pants and a black velvet coat with gold braid on the shoulders.

I finished getting my boots on, then went over to inspect the garments. “These are fine.” I looked up at him. “Have you only been with betas?”

“Why do you ask that?”

“Because your ex, the one I almost killed, is obviously a beta personality, and now you say that you've never been asked on a date. Generally, alphas do the asking.”

“Ah.” He smoothed his hair and cleared his throat. “Yes. That could be why I've never been asked. I am usually the one doing the asking.”

“Are you uncomfortable with my aggression?”

With a jerk, Aras lifted his head and stared at me with wide eyes. “What? No.”

“Are you sure? I didn't realize until today how different I am from your usual lovers.”

He snorted a laugh, then rolled into full laughter when he saw my irritated expression. “You're the King of Gavemor. Of course, you're different.”

I grimaced at him.

Aras settled into a soft smile. “I like you. You. It doesn't matter that you're an alpha bottom. Has my performance been lacking, Your Majesty?”

“No. You're a fantastic lover.”

He blinked. Then he grabbed my shoulders and hauled me into a kiss.

I kissed him back. Couldn't be helped. But then, laughing, I pulled away. “Stop trying to have sex with me, you insatiable beast.”

Aras blinked. Then he burst out laughing. I joined him again. I couldn't recall ever laughing so much with anyone, much less a lover.

When our laughter settled, he said, “I never would have guessed.”

“Guessed what?”

“That you're funny. That you're—” He waved a hand at me. “So much more than this.”