Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
The farmers on the outskirts of town brought all their crops for sale, and everyone came first thing in the morning to grab the best pieces of everything. I admired a green squash for a while before I handed over the coins and took it. Then I moved to the next station, looking for the black lentils my mother had requested.
“What’s for dinner, sweetheart?”
I recognized that voice, had heard it in my dreams the past two nights, and my heart gave a jolt when my eyes came into contact with his. Deep green, arrogant, beautiful. I’d never expected to see him again, and the relief that washed over me was unmistakable. “Stew.” Again.
“Sounds good. You should invite me over.” He looked down at me as he flashed his handsome grin.
“I thought we were even.” I handed the coins to the farmer and took the pouch of black lentils.
“Sweetheart, come on.” He walked with me as we left the booth. “Don’t act like you aren’t happy to see me.” He was in his street clothes, doing his best to blend in and look like one of us. “I saw your reaction before you covered it up.”
I moved to the next booth and grabbed the mushrooms and onions.
“How’s your mom doing?”
I put all the vegetables into my bag before I moved to the butcher’s counter. “A lot better.”
“That’s good.”
I looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity there. “Yeah…thanks for asking.”
“My mom got sick and passed away… I know how that goes.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah.” He walked with me to the butcher’s counter.
I walked up to the butcher and pulled out the coins I had left. I had less money than I wanted, and I probably wouldn’t even get the worst cut of meat.
The butcher quickly counted the coin with just a glance. “I don’t have anything for that, girl.”
Ryker reached into his pocket and pulled out his coin. He tossed it on the table. “We’ll take the biggest cut of meat you have.”
“What are you doing?” My head snapped in his direction. “You don’t need to do that—”
“It’s fine.” He closed my fingers around my coins and pushed my hand back to my stomach.
“I have money.”
“Keep it, alright? Save it for a rainy day.”
The butcher put the meat on the counter, wrapped up and ready to go, and it was big enough that we could have more than stew. With a few potatoes and some greens, we could have a nice dinner tonight.
Ryker picked up the meat and carried it for me.
I returned the coins to my pocket and walked with him. “You really didn’t need to do that.”
“I understood there was no obligation.”
“But I don’t need your pity.”
“It wasn’t out of pity either—”
“Then why?”
That arrogant smile came back. “I did something for you. Now you do something for me.”
“Wow…you’re a dick.”
He chuckled. “Before you jump to conclusions—”
“You think I’m going to sleep with you because you bought me some meat?”
“Hey, I was just hoping for another kiss, but if you want to take it to that level, I’m game.”
I smacked him in the arm.
He gave a laugh, his eyes playful. “You know I’m kidding. I would have bought this for you even if you said you never wanted to see me again. But I also knew that was never going to happen.”
“Are you always this arrogant?”
“Yes.” He spat out his answer like it was instinct. “How about I show you around the castle tonight?”
“I’m not allowed on the grounds.”
“Sweetheart, you’re allowed anywhere as long as it’s with me.” He waggled his eyebrows.
I rolled my eyes and gave him a gentle push to the side.
He came right back and gave my ass a quick spank.
My eyes widened, and I stared at him in shock. “You have some nerve…”
“Oh, you have no idea the kind of nerve I have.”
“That’s the best dinner I’ve ever had—at least in a while.” My dad devoured all his meat and smothered his potato with extra butter. “The butcher just gave this to you?”
“Said it would be bad by tomorrow,” I said.
“Really?” Mother said. “It tastes so fresh.”
I shrugged and kept eating.
When dinner was finished, we cleaned up and went to bed.
I had my own bedroom, a twin bed against the wall and a desk in the other corner. There was a single window, just big enough for me to crawl through. I left the curtains open so the stars were visible through the glass.
I’d just gotten to the bed when there was a knock on the window.
Already knew who it was.
I unlocked the latch then pushed it open.
He rested his arms on the windowsill and gave me a smile. “Ready to go on an adventure?”
“You have to promise me I won’t get in trouble.” I spoke in a whisper, and he did the same.
“Your parents will never know you left.”