I nibble at my food, trying not to gobble it down as the others chat in between bites. No one pays much attention to me—other than Brooks nodding approvingly every time I finish something—but the stress of eating with them makes it hard to enjoy the food. I wish I could relax.
I wish I knew what was expected of me.
For now, I’ll just take it one step at a time.
After we eventually get up, I spend the day with Vee, following her around like a lost puppy while she works. I think I’m a little out of it, dissociated from all the changes so nothing has quite hit me yet. She gives me a brief tour of the employee areas of the shop, and then lets me explore. I don’t want to be around other people though, and lavender season is still going strong, so I hang out in her office and watch her work.
I’m constantly on the lookout, convinced Steve and Josh will somehow know where I am and show up at the farm to snatch me away. They don’t though, because how would they know? They didn’t know I had a phone, so there’s not even a way for them to try to contact me. A visual of them screaming when they realize I’m not there hits my brain, and it plays like a terrible movie. Josh throwing whatever is in his hands at the wall, Steve stomping from room to room and slamming doors.
I shudder, forcing my thoughts away.
I admire Vee as she reviews some sort of paperwork at her desk. I can’t imagine what it takes to run a business, but she makes it seem easy. Her long fingers type and scroll through spreadsheets, and occasionally she’ll run a hand along her chin or jaw in thought. Her neck is elegant and looks so soft.
The longer I stare at it, the more I want to bite into that delicate skin.
My hands itch to stroke along her arms, to feel the strength of her lean muscles and sink into her curly hair. Am I allowed to touch her hair? I don’t know where or how much touching—or looking—I’m allowed to do, now that I thinkabout it. I can’t stop my eyes from being drawn to her though, and I think she knows it.
Every time she catches me, she smiles. It’s a knowing, slightly devious smile that hints at future promises. My skin flushes as heat builds low in my belly and slick soaks into my panties. I know they’re all being cautious with me, careful not to cross any boundaries or trigger me, but I sometimes wish they wouldn’t.
Sometimes a girl just wants to be ravaged by a sexy alpha with the longest eyelashes she’s ever seen.
I sigh, and Vee turns to me, her nostrils flaring as she smirks. I have no doubt I’m perfuming like mad, broadcasting how attracted I am to her.
“What do you want to do tomorrow? I know Riley has been coming apart at the seams, he’s so impatient to take you on a date. Think you’re feeling up to it?”
“What does he want to do?”
I haven’t thought about going on dates. I mean, I know they said they want to court me, but I didn’t actually think about what that meant.
Vee laughs. “A better question would be whatdoesn’the want to do?” Then she rolls her chair over to the open doorway and raises her voice. “Riley! Come in here when you get a sec.”
They pop their head in a couple minutes later, blue-green eyes lighting up and darting between us. “What’s up, pretty ladies?”
Vee huffs a laugh, winking at me as she turns to him. “What did you have in mind for your date with Sage?”
Riley’s mood turns into the equivalent of a bouncy ball. They literally jump up and down, clasping their hands together as they dash to Vee’s side. “Oh my god, do I finally get to take her out?”
He turns to me, excitement lining their tone. “What doyou want to do? I have so many ideas, but I was thinking maybe we head into town? Our town, Hillside, not your old town. I can show you around all the cute little shops and we can get candy and coffee and hang out. What do you think?”
I don’t know how he got all that out without pausing for breath, but I can’t say no to that face. Plus, his excitement is infectious.
“That sounds great,” I say. “Will it be safe, though?”
“Did Steve or Josh ever come over to Hillside?” Vee asks.
“I really have no idea. They almost never told me where they were going.”
“Hmm,” she says. “Let’s check with Brooks later to see what he thinks, but really, I think it’ll be fine. It’s a small town, and there’s no reason to be on main street unless you’re popping in and out of the shops. From what you’ve said, they don’t strike me as the type.”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t think so.”
When we run the plan by Brooks later, he agrees. “I’m happy to play bodyguard though, if you want.”
Any tension I was holding releases with his words, but then I glance at Riley. This is supposed to be his date, but when I sneak a look at his expression, he’s grinning.
“Oh, excellent. I’ve always wanted a hunky bodyguard,” Riley says.
Brooks sighs with fake exasperation, but there’s a tender look in his eye as he smiles at us. “Alright, then. Tomorrow it is.”
