Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
And then I was sold. Another man’s property.
If Jamie was truly a good man, how did I—
“You’re shivering, Jordyn.”
“It’s cold.” And I never resided in a world where things were given freely. So how did I repay the man?
Jamie strode to the bags on the ground. Grabbed them all. Everything but the briefcase—with his money. If this was a game of trust, Jamie knew the rules of engagement. When would he show me his true colors? You didn’t go through what we had and still be whole. Loving. Joyful. At peace. If I was mistaken and hadn’t taken the man at his word, I could … fall in love with this man. So, I’d better hold out hope. In the meantime, try to be nice, Jordy.
As I grabbed my briefcase and followed him into the house, I told myself not to condemn Jamie for what other men had done to me. Not to turn my wrath against him. But the thing was, the part of my heart that never grew up since we last crossed paths still hated him. Couldn’t help it.
“Shower? Dinner?” Jamie asked. “It might be too late for dinner, but if you’re hungry, I’ll cook.” He pressed a button inside of the entry. The door closed.
“Have you eaten?” I asked. Why wasn’t he asking why I returned? Heck, I should be grateful. Even I didn’t know the answer to that.
Jamie shook his head.
“Okay, thank you. Dinner sounds good. After I shower, should I, uh, pick another room? You have lots?” Yes, this was a test. Two could play that game for as long as it took my guard to fall.
“No.”
My heart deflated. Alright, he’s like Katlego.
“I haven’t slept in a bed in over six years.” Jamie started toward the open living room kitchen.
Following after him, I stared at his back, muscles moving in fluid motion while he’d already started for a sleek cabinet—that was so not a cabinet. It was a custom refrigerator. “What? Why?” I asked.
“Got comfortable on cots, tents, in the elements of the Indo-Pacific Command. If you prefer to sleep under the stars, we can do that too.”
“Oh, no.” My chin jutted to the glass wall as he placed a handful of colorful vegetables on the island. “What you saw was just a free woman’s rite of passage.”
An hour later, I’d showered and dressed in Old Navy pajamas. Maybe that was why I adored Katlego. He allowed me to wear more than freak ‘em attire when I accompanied him to greet his citizens. Although I’d never shopped at Old Navy, a part of me had a desire to dress like a nun. The store’s mannequins seemed like the closest I could get.
Strolling into the kitchen, I touched my hair, which felt like tiny crunchy tresses. Uncooked ramen noodles. “I knew I should’ve bought some real hair products,” I muttered.
“Should’ve what?” With a raised eyebrow, Jamie wielded his chopping knife like a hatchet.
“Don’t worry about it. But do you belong in the kitchen?”
He glanced at me, those soulful teal eyes that could make me obsess over this man locked onto mine. King Katlego 2.0, be damned. Jamie laughed. The carefree sound did more than please my ears. It was a double whammy, with his eyes lancing me straight to the heart. I knew I shouldn’t desire this man. Not so soon after he set me free—if he had freed me—and not when I didn’t even know … me.
Gosh. My mind was a mess. Though playful, I rolled my eyes. “Get out of the kitchen, Jamie.”
He smiled, letting me push him. I was secretly appreciative of it, too, because I imagined it looked like I wanted to move a tank without it being in neutral. All on my lonesome.
Jamie went around the island and snorted. “You don’t think I can cook?”
“Did I say that?” My hand dropped onto my hip as I glanced at the bell peppers. All the shapes and sizes—julienne and non-julienne. “If this is any indication, I imagine you can catch a chicken, pluck it, and place it over an open fire while backpacking across the world. Hell, even I can’t do that.”
“Y’know what?” Jamie rubbed his jaw. “Maybe I should’ve further elaborated about my willingness to sleep on the floor. Yeah, I wanna protect you. But I wasn’t just some rich boy backpacking across the world. I was a Marine Raider.”
“A Marine what? What in the Indiana Jones are you talking about?” I glanced up from the vegetables that needed my attention. What a mess.
“Marine Raider. Why do I have to explain myself?” Jamie rubbed a hand through his hair.
I shut my mouth from asking if he hid the good conditioner because his hair floated down perfectly over his shoulders. My eyes landed on the olive oil. It would work for my hair, my skin … and the chicken breasts—that could become drier than my hair if I didn’t give them the love and attention they deserved. I tuned into Jamie, and he was muttering under his breath.