Page 16 of Mane Attraction
But nothing could have prepared her for the sight that greeted her.
Lev stood in the hallway, and somehow he’d managed to become even more devastatingly attractive than he’d been just an hour earlier. He’d changed into a charcoal button-down that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders, the sleeves rolled up to reveal powerful forearms. Dark jeans molded to his muscular thighs, and his golden hair looked artfully tousled, as if he’d run his fingers through it moments before arriving.
Professional,she reminded herself, even as her traitorous body responded to his magnetic presence.This is just business.
But Lev’s reaction to her appearance made maintaining that professional distance considerably more challenging. His blue eyes darkened as they swept over her, taking in the way the green fabric brought out the color of her eyes and skimmed her curves with elegant simplicity.
“You look stunning,” he said, his voice carrying a rough edge that made heat pool low in her body.
Xelene deflected the compliment with practiced ease, though her cheeks warmed under his intense scrutiny. “Did you complete the questionnaire?”
A slow smile spread across his face as he reached into his pocket, producing the folded paper. “Just like I promised.”
She took the questionnaire and slipped it into her purse, hyperaware of how his fingers brushed against hers during the exchange. The brief contact sent electricity racing up her arm.
“Ready for dinner?” Lev asked, his hand settling on the small of her back with possessive familiarity as he guided her toward the castle’s main entrance. “I’m taking you to the best restaurant in the entire Marcan Lion Pride Dominion.”
The warmth of his palm seared through the thin fabric of her dress, and Xelene had to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. “Ready as I’ll ever be. This is just business, nothing more.”
“Of course,” he agreed, though the knowing glint in his eyes suggested he had other ideas entirely.
A sleek black limousine waited in the circular drive, its polished surface reflecting the twin suns of Nova Aurora as they began their descent toward the horizon. Lev helped her inside with old-world courtesy that felt both charming and dangerous.
This is a business dinner,she told herself as she settled into the plush leather seat.You’ve done this countless times with other clients. This isn’t a date.
But her heart refused to cooperate, racing as Lev’s intoxicating scent—something wild and masculine that reminded her of sun-warmed leather and cedar—wrapped around her like a warm embrace. Every breath in the close quarters seemed to dissolve her defenses, making her hyperaware of his powerful presence beside her.
It’s all part of his playboy charm,she reasoned desperately.He said he wouldn’t play games, but men like him always play games. It’s second nature to them.
Through the limousine’s tinted windows, Nova Aurora’s alien landscape rolled past in breathtaking splendor. Golden savannas stretched endlessly under the dual suns, dotted with strange trees whose leaves shimmered like jewels. In the distance, the pink ocean caught the light, its surface gleaming like rose-colored glass.
Something deep inside her stirred as she watched the scenery pass by—a sense of recognition that made no logical sense. This place felt familiar in ways that defied explanation, as if some part of her soul had been waiting to come here.
It’s just the wonder of being on an alien planet,she told herself, though her heart whispered that there was something more profound at work.
The restaurant perched on a cliff overlooking the pink ocean, its architecture a stunning blend of natural stone and flowing curves that seemed to grow organically from the landscape itself. Crystalline windows caught the light of the setting suns, casting rainbow prisms across the terrace where other diners enjoyed the spectacular view.
As Lev guided her through the entrance, Xelene became acutely aware of the attention they attracted. Conversations paused mid-sentence as pride members recognized their crown prince, their curious gazes shifting to assess the woman at his side.
Perfect,she thought with growing mortification.They all think I’m just another conquest, especially in this casual dress. This looks exactly like a date to anyone watching.
She wanted these people to take her seriously. But maintaining her cover meant keeping the real reason for herpresence secret—she couldn’t exactly announce that she was here to fix their prince’s scandalous reputation.
A hostess led them to a prime table overlooking the ocean, and as they settled into their seats, Xelene’s mind raced through possible solutions. The weight of curious stares pressed against her shoulders, and she realized she needed to take control of the narrative before it spun beyond her reach.
“We need to pretend to be a couple,” she said suddenly, the words tumbling out before she could second-guess herself.
Lev’s eyebrows shot up, his expression shifting from surprise to something that looked like triumph. “Excuse me?”
Heat flooded her cheeks as she realized how that must have sounded. “I mean, it’s the only way to maintain my professional cover and help your reputation. If people see you settling down with someone, it shows you’re making an effort to mature and become more stable. It’s actually perfect for cleaning up your playboy image.”
The smile that spread across Lev’s face was pure satisfaction, as if she’d just played directly into his hands. “That sounds like a great idea. But what are the boundaries? We’ll need to make it look convincing in public—handholding, maybe some kissing and flirting. Otherwise, people won’t buy that we’re really dating.”
Xelene’s pulse spiked with an excitement that had nothing to do with professional strategy and everything to do with the thought of Lev’s hands on her body and his mouth on hers. The realization left her feeling exposed and vulnerable in ways that terrified her.
“Fine,” she managed, her voice slightly breathless. “That makes sense. But don’t push it too hard.”
Lev’s charming smile—the one he probably used on all his conquests—made her stomach flutter traitorously. “Oh, I won’t push anything you don’t want.”
