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short, scarlet cotton dress and stepped forward to greet Davio as he crossed the lawn.
    Peering around her, I held a hand to my chest. The man still looked completely edible, those blue jeans sitting low on his hips and making me drool for a bite.
    “Welcome, Davio.” Belle turned and introduced me with her right hand swinging in a wide gesture. “This is Miss Faith Stryker.”
    Oh so polite.
    Davio clasped Belle’s arm, his narrowed gaze boring into mine. “Thank you, Belle. So this is the one Carlisio says has forethought?” He stood there, his bearing firm and his hand far too intimate on Belle’s upper arm.
    Like I shouldn’t have noticed.
    Only now I frowned, my mind distracted by the cozy image they made. Exactly how well did these two know each other?
    I ground my teeth together, lifted my chin and stepped forward. “Yes, I’m the one who has forethought.”
    Damn. Now I was irritated. Excessively so.
    “How do I know you’re who Belle says you are?” With speed, I siphoned through the newcomer’s thoughts using what Belle kept referring to as my burgeoning forethought, hoping to find this was an elaborate and totally explainable ruse.
    Davio released her arm and stepped closer. “I can’t believe this,” he said as he touched a hand to his forehead. “I can feel you in my mind.” He immediately blocked, the same as Belle was able to do.
    Now there was nothing.
    I gave him a cocky grin, and he damn well returned it, seriously peeving me further. “So, I guess I have to believe you’re the grandson of Peacio’s supposed king. David is it?”
    One masculine brow quirked. “Davio, not David, but yes, I’m Carlisio’s sole grandson. Who is your father?”
    I glared at him. “At present I don’t know and quite frankly, I’ve never cared.” I didn’t either. I had the world’s most fabulous mother, one who’d provided all I’d ever needed in life. While the man who’d irresponsibly provided the other half of my genes to give me that life had never stayed to even say one simple hello.
    Davio crossed his arms, frowning as he drew one-step closer. “Father aside, let’s concentrate on what you’re doing right now. You are lodged within my mind–” He stopped, shook his head as if clearing it, then took another decided step forward. “There’s a warmth, like a merging or a similar form of alternate connection, I’ve never experienced before. What is it you’re doing?”
    No sooner had he said the words then I dropped the merge he’d noted.
    Bad move. “Ow.” I grabbed my head as my mind demanded to return to his. What the… I jerked, holding out one hand to halt his sudden advancement. “Stay right there, bucko.”
    A sharp stinging pain took me as he bore down on me. “No. Stop.” I clutched at my chest, gasping.
    More pain. And Davio’s presence, without a doubt, caused it.
    Against my wishes my mind arrowed, piercing back into his and clashing with a brutal strength that made me stagger. I fell against him, grabbing at his arm, the contact somehow ceasing the pain and my turbulent emotions all at once.
    What was going on?
    I took a moment, breathing deep, feeling the warmth within his mind.
    My reaction to him couldn’t have amazed me more. “You can feel my mind-merge?” I asked, making certain.
    He nodded briskly. “You’re in my head. I can feel your presence. But be aware, you will not get a single thought from me since I’m now blocked.”
    That was clearly a set down, putting me in my place.
    I gritted my teeth and dropped my hand, glaring as I stepped back. Now, deep inside, I wanted to strike out at him. How dare he? “I wasn’t intending to pry. This is all new to me, too, you know.” I found my voice, defending myself.
    Annoyance coursed through me.
    It seemed I did not like this man one itty, little bit, hot eyes and hot body included.
    He glowered, circling me, his gaze slanting as his enormous body threatened. “Now, aren’t you a pesky little