Free Colorblind (Moonlight) by Violette Dubrinsky Page A

Penny probably had no idea exactly how much he needed her. “No slave wants to be sold. Despite our circumstances, we are still a family. We may not be bound by blood, but one slave is as much my brother as another. I can calm them, reassure them.” She paused. “That’s why you need me.”
    “Do you drink, Penny?” Leon asked after a long while. He was on his second glass, and anticipated having a good deal more before the day was out.
    “I’ve never been offered a drink before,” Penny replied slowly. Of course. That, too, would have to be remedied. He poured a glass of amber liquid and brought it over to her.
    She eyed the brown liquid warily before taking it. “What is it?”
    “Bourbon,” he replied, watching her. “Taste it.”
    Penny brought the glass to her lips and sipped, wincing at the burn before grimacing at the taste. Leon chuckled and took the glass from her, his fingers brushing hers in the process. She watched him toss back the contents of her glass.
    “Alcohol does not affect us as it does humans, although many of us wish it so.” He moved back to his decanter and poured another liquid before returning to her. This one was red.
    Penny eyed the glass for long moments, until he said, “This is sherry. It’s not as strong, and much sweeter. Many women like it.”
    Against better judgment, she took the glass and sipped, surprised that while the burn was still there, the drink itself was not bad. It tasted like fruits—grapes, but instead of being fresh and sweet, it was almost sour and dry.
    “It pleases me that you like it.”
    Leon returned to his seat and she placed the glass onto the table before her.
    “So am I to remove my name from the list?” she asked.
    A half smile curved his lips up, and he nodded once. “Replace your name with another female, Penny.”
    She smiled.
    Leon stood suddenly and moved to the door. “I have a few matters to oversee in the fields. If you need me, that’s where I’ll be.”
    Penny heard the click of the door as he opened it and closed it again. Leon Arnaud confused her more than any other person. He called her his mate, yet avoided her like she’d offended him in some way. Every time she saw him, she wanted to touch him. She wanted to go back to that night, with his body dwarfing hers and his hardness pushing into her….
    With a frustrated sigh, Penny looked back to the list, blotting out her name and adding another.

    Chapter Five
    Anyone who knew the usually calm Leon Arnaud would be able to tell that he was restless. He’d undone the top buttons of his shirt, rolled his sleeves to his elbows, and run his hand through his hair so many times it would be a miracle if it still looked decent. He’d hardly achieved a few hours of sleep the past nights.
    Penny plagued him. She plagued his nights, his days. Every conscious and unconscious thought was about her: her eyes, her lips, her tall, graceful body…naked.
    In his office, he paced back and forth, from the library stacks to the console filled with spirits, his hands clenching and unclenching as he was pulled between instinct and common sense. Instinct told him to claim her, to make her his immediately. Common sense warned that it was stupid, that he could very well jeopardize everything if he began acting like a crazed lover around his slave.
    Nearly five days had passed since he’d almost taken her. During that time, he’d seen her twice, and only when she came to the office. He’d purposefully avoided her, knowing if he was with her for more than a few minutes, the inevitable would happen. And now, he was waiting for her. He could dress it up any way he pleased but ultimately, that was what he was doing. Today was Wednesday, her last day in his office for the remainder of the week.
    He froze when the door opened. The scent of honeysuckle rushed over him, seeping into his nostrils, affecting his mind.
    Leon closed his eyes. This was it. The decision he had to make. Instinct . Common sense