The Jaguar Prince Read Online Free PDF Page A

ringing.”
    “It doesn’t matter.”
    “I see.”
    “Tell whoever is on the phone I’m not here,” she whispered.
    “You want me to lie?”
    “Yes!” she whispered, gritting her teeth again.
    “But I’ve already told the woman we slept together last night with our naked bodies pressed against each other.”
    “You what!” she screamed, not even trying to keep her voice down.
    Rogar had a feeling she was upset with him. He wasn’t sure why. He’d kept the towel knotted at his waist. That was another thing. There was nothing wrong with his body. Everything worked. Why would she not want to look upon his naked form?
    “DeeDee, hi. No, no, he’s an old friend from…out of town.”
    Rogar noted her shoulders relaxed and she didn’t seem quite as tense.
    “Yes, pulling your leg. That’s Rogar. Quite the jokester. Nope, sorry, he’s leaving town this morning. Only wanted a place to crash for the night. Yes, on the sofa. Okay, talk to you later. Bye-bye.” She snapped the phone closed.
    Callie glared at him. “You told her we slept naked together?”
    “Did you want me to lie?”
    “Yes, since I didn’t invite you into my bed.”
    “Then I will lie next time.”
    “There won’t be a next time because you’re leaving today.”
    Rogar had a feeling getting Callie back to New Symtaria was going to be more difficult than even he had imagined.
    She escaped to another room, returning a few minutes later with a long strip of white cloth that bore markings of some kind.
    “You plan to bind me?” he asked. Not that it would do her any good. The cloth looked flimsy at best.
    “That’s not a bad idea, but no, I need to get your measurements so I’ll know what size clothes to buy.”
    He nodded.
    “Put you arms out.”
    He did as she asked, enjoying that she had moved closer. He liked the way she smelled. Not at all like a cat. No, this scent was clean and sweet. All too soon, she backed away to write his measurements on paper.
    “Arm length, okay, got it,” she mumbled as she jotted down numbers. Then she returned and wrapped her arms around his chest. Her gaze darted to his face.
    Callie had beautiful eyes. They were green, but not just any green. They were a clear, deep green.
    She stepped back, bringing the cloth together again. “I’m not Symtarian.”
    “You’re from a proud and noble lineage.”
    “Then why was I left on the doorstep of the orphanage like someone’s trash they were trying to get rid of?”
    “I thought you said your parents were dead.”
    She glanced at him as she carefully wrapped the cloth around his waist, trying not to come into contact with his skin. “I tell people my parents died because it sounds better than saying they dumped me on a doorstep.” She looked at the cloth, then went back to her paper. “To me, they are dead.”
    “I’m sorry. This hurt you very deeply.”
    She shrugged. “It was so long ago that it doesn’t matter now.”
    When she returned with the measuring cloth, he rested his hands on her shoulders. For a moment, she didn’t move, then she looked at him, jutting that fierce little chin forward.
    “I don’t care about them anymore,” she repeated and he wondered who she was trying to convince, herself or him? Callie’s eyes practically dared him to challenge her words.
    “Of course,” he told her, letting the matter drop.
    She knelt down, stretching the measuring cloth from his waist to his ankle. She dropped one end, though, and when she reached for it, lost her balance. She grabbed him for support, but only caught his towel, gripping it tightly as she landed on her bottom with a thud.
    Rogar was once again very naked.
    “Oh, God,” she muttered as she stared at him.
    She made a choking sound. He reached under her arms and helped her to her feet.
    “I’m…uh…sorry,” she stuttered.
    He casually pried the towel from her fist, knotting it again at his waist.
    “Your inseam…uh…oh, hell, I’ll just guess.” She raced for the