Page 35 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
A cocky smile.
An air of arrogance that could only come from deep-rooted power.
“I hear you’ve been looking for me.”
Ezra Alansia.
Chapter Eight
Making Acquaintances
“It took you long enough to hear it,” I retorted.
His shit-eating smirk never left his face, even as he bowed. “Ezra Alansia at your service, my lady.”
Ugh. I didn’t want to show him any respect, not after he’d left me hanging for so long, but I didn’t have a choice.
I offered the smallest curtsey possible. “Alicia Vermillion, my lord.”
“Call me Ezra. What may I call you?”
“Lady Alicia.”
“Ooh, you’re a tough one, Lady Alicia.”
“Are you surprised? That’s how I convinced you to meet with me, after all.”
“Convinced? I believe the law views it as blackmail.” He waved his hand over his head, and a faint red glow emanated from his palm.
I tensed. “What did you just do?”
“Relax. It’s a mere deterrent spell. Anyone who approaches these doors will quickly forget why they were coming this way. I don’t like to be interrupted when I’m talking to clients.” He stepped closer to me and dipped his head so his lips were close to my ear. “Even less so when that client is as beautiful as you.”
I reached up and pushed his face away. “If you wanted your sweet talking to work on me, you should’ve accepted my first request to meet.”
He sighed dramatically. “Are you sure? I’m warning you—I have a complex about wanting things I can’t have.”
“Then you should make sure not to want me.”
“Impossible. I already do.”
“I’m not a cake, Lord Ezra.”
“Just as well; I’m not a fan of cake.”
I spun to face him.
God.
He was irritatingly handsome as well.
I took back my thanks to the author of this world. This was torture.
“You are aware I wanted to hire you, yes? Not engage in this peculiar banter that only you seem to be enjoying,” I said curtly.
“My lady, it pains me to hear that you think my flirting is peculiar.” He clutched his chest. “But yes, I am aware of the fuss you kicked up when you put the fear of the god Khimos himself into my poor aide.”
“Then your so-called poor aide should watch his tongue in future.”
