We don’t talk much as we work, in part because so many people decide they need to drop off their laundry. Harper glares at me. “Less interest, hey?”
It seemed like a good idea last night. Less attention from random women and more from Harper. I want her to see me as a potential mate. I don’t care if she takes months to come around.
“Hi…” A woman holds out her laundry bag. She smiles, all teeth. “I saw you fighting last night, and you looked so good.”
“Thank you.” I use my language. “Being banished is dangerous, so knowing how to fight is a must.”
She laughs, her eyelashes fluttering as though there is something in her eye. “You aren’t banished anymore.”
“I’ve noticed.” Given that I am standing in a human laundry full of their machines.
“What else have you noticed?” She reaches out to place her hand on my arm.
I step back before she can touch me. “That there are a lot of women who do not seem to understand that I am already entertaining interest.”
She glares at Harper, who is loading machines deeper in the room. “Her? You could do so much better.”
“Harper makes me laugh, and she is strong… You have insulted her, and I doubt you have the strength to do this job.” I tilt my head, sensing the anger in her pulse. “So why would I be interested in you?”
“I’m younger and have a better job.” She flicks her hair back.
“They are not things I care about.” If I was not the banished son of a chief I may have cared as I would be expected to make a good match. An alliance with another tribe, or perhaps a woman with a needed skill. But if my tribe’s wealth means little to these women, the expectations placed on my brothers to mate well mean even less to me.
Her eyes narrow. “I was told the women choose.”
I sigh and roll my eyes, wishing Harper would walk over and save me. “Technically, that is true. Practically, it is a negotiation to ensure a good match. Imagine spending your entire life with someone you do not like.” Or who grows tired of her mate when she’s done showing off.
She stares at me. “I like the idea of having a mate. Someone just for me. I wouldn’t need to wait to choose.”
“I want to wait.” I want to be sure that it is the right choice. The longer I talk to this woman, the surer I am that she will be a bad match. “I need to get back to work.”
“I can help find you a better job.”
“I don’t want a better job.” This job is fine. I talk to Harper, do some sewing, and then run some deliveries. The evenings I spend with my brothers. If I am allowed to hunt sometimes, then things will be close to perfect.
She pushes out her breasts as if her body is something that should interest me. “What do you want?”
“To return to work.” This time I walk away. I fill three machines before she leaves. “You can step in,” I say to Harper.
“You handled it well.”
“I hoped it would cut down on interest, not encourage them to try harder.” I underestimated the situation. I hope Harper isn’t reconsidering this deal.
“Interest will fade away.” She tosses another load of clothes into the machine.
“Good. Then we can spend more time together.” I close the machine door and move closer.
“Don’t we need to spend more time together to be more convincing?”
“You want me to be more convincing?” I run my fingertips up her arm and when she doesn’t pull away, over her shoulder and up her neck to brush over her cheek. Her eyes widen, and her breathing quickens. I hope it’s from lust, not a desire to hit me.
I lean in slowly, giving her time to push me away. Then my lips brush hers. I have never kissed a woman, and it is different from kissing another warrior. Their touch is firm and hungry because we understand what is wanted.
This time I’m not sure if what I want and what I need are the same thing.
When not surrounded by women, the desire to have a mate was almost non-existent… now my body craves it, even though I am worried about making the wrong decision. I do not want to suffer the way Sunif did. He was lucky to survive the loss of a mate and the tale he tells sounded terrible.
So my kiss is cautious, a light brush that I intend only to indicate my interest in her is not for show. I want to get to know her better.
