57

Keilor took in her mulishness and knew it for what it was. He chose to attack her jealousy with direct action. Ignoring her mood, he stretched out on the couch and placed his head in her lap. “I don’t dwell on the men you knew before me, love,” he told her gravely. “I expect the same courtesy from you.”

“None of them are likely to rake you over the coals in public.” Her eyes narrowed. “Or mention how I looked without my clothes.”

Several heartbeats passed in silence. “I did not go to her willingly, Jasmine.” His voice roughened as he sat up. “She drugged me.” Seeing her horror, he explained, “Libran. Sweet Surrender.” A muscle twitched in his jaw. “I believe you’ve heard of it.”

Someone had given him the aphrodisiac that had almost killed her? She placed one hand on his thigh and watched him soberly.

“She took an interest in me when I was still young, but I despised her.” His nose wrinkled in remembered distaste. “Besides being unattractive, she had...has, twisted tastes.”