Welcome to “At First Sight Saturday.” Today’s guest is author, Kayelle Allen, who gives us a ‘first sight’ scene from her book At the Mercy of Her Pleasure and introduces us to hero, Senth and heroine, NarrAy. Be sure to leave a comment to let Andrea know your thoughts about the scene.

Excerpt:  In this scene the hero and heroine first see one another and is from the heroine’s point of view. NarrAy Jorlan is a Better, an enhanced human who pheromones can addict. She’s also a Captain in the rebel army, and is undercover. Through a mutual acquaintance, she heard about the Harbinger, a former head of the Thieves’ Guild whose adopted son, Senth, is a rising star in the organization. Now she’s come to meet him. Senth has impeccable credentials, but…

NarrAy turned, tugging the skirt of the tight dress down a bit more. She held herself more erect. After two knocks, the door opened.

The Harbinger stepped inside, another person behind him.

“Ms. Jorlan.” Saint-Cyr made a slight bow.

She clenched her teeth behind her returned smile. The man’s whiteless eyes made it impossible to see where he looked.

“Mr. Saint-Cyr.” She laced her fingers behind her hips. Because the Better Laws forbade touching, the customary handshake of greeting wasn’t an option.

“May I present my Deshai–that’s protégé in the Thieves’ Guild–Senthys Antonello.” The Harbinger gestured to the handsome youth with him. “Senthys, Ms. NarrAy Jorlan.”

“Ms. Jorlan.” Senthys extended his hand. To his credit, his blue-eyed gaze never strayed. His shoulder-length hair, a mass of dark, unruly curls, made him look playful rather than studious.

I’d like to play with him, NarrAy mused, ignoring his hand.

“My apologies, ma’am.” The Harbinger nudged Senthys. “Betters don’t touch others, son.”

The boy glanced up at him with clear surprise. NarrAy had the impression he reacted to the title “son” rather than the belated instruction.

“Yes, sir.” He ducked his head. “My apologies, ma’am.”

“Quite all right.” She motioned to Lieutenant Broxus. “Please show Mr. Saint-Cyr and his Deshai to the door.”

Broxus did not hesitate. “This way, sir.”

“Ms. Jorlan?” The Harbinger turned his head from her to Broxus and then back. “Is something wrong?”

“I contracted with you for a professional, not a child. He can’t be a day over fourteen.”

Senthys threw up his hands. “I am not a kid!” He turned to the Harbinger. “Sen’dai, tell this woman, whoever she is, that my qualifications are impeccable. It shouldn’t matter how old I am.” He turned toward NarrAy and clasped his hands behind his back, his shoulders straight. “I can do the job. That’s what’s important. Not my birthdate.”

“He’s right.” Saint-Cyr agreed. “My Deshai has more credentials and experience than three-fourths of his peers of any age, and as for his youth? He has a baby face. He’s eighteen.”

NarrAy scrutinized the Harbinger. Had he obeyed an order? There’s more to this boy than I thought.

Senthys took a step closer. “Ms. Jorlan, I can accomplish whatever your contract requires. I’ve spent the last fifteen years learning my craft. How many years have you studied yours, whatever it is?”

With a smile, NarrAy nodded. “Point well taken.” She made a slow perusal down his lean yet muscular frame. Huge, pale eyes the color of a dawn sky, with the feline pupils of a Kin. Nothing else catlike about–Ooh, look at those irresistible little fangs.

Senthys’ dusky skin and symmetrical features were not unlike a Better’s. With his young face, his masculine beauty seemed gentle, but she sensed an inner and physical strength she hadn’t noticed at first. His leashed energy all but hummed.

And he doesn’t fear Betters. Well, well.

Blurb: To free his enslaved brother from a cruel master, Senth, an all-party-fun-and-games thief, must take on the hardest assignment of his life: stealing from the Empress. To make matters worse, he has no choice but to work with the beautiful NarrAy, a by-the-book rebel captain whose addictive pheromones could jeopardize the mission and destroy Senth’s will. When the unthinkable happens and NarrAy professes her love for him, Senth must decide if what he feels is real. Can he trust this woman? If he loves her back, can he still save his brother? Or will Senth end up at the mercy of her pleasure forever…

Free on Kindle Unlimited:  Universal Buy Link  Other books in this series: A Stolen Heart, For Women Only, and Bro

Kayelle Allen writes space opera with larger than life, unforgettable characters. Come walk in her worlds and meet her misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, immortal gamers, and warriors who purr.

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