‘We’re different, that’s all.’ He looked to be gauging her reaction, and it was then she noticed the tiny flecks of golden brown among the silver in his eyes.
‘I guess we hear a lot of untruths about each other.’
He held her gaze. ‘I guess we do.’
Scarlen went back to her cards, worried he could spot her lies. ‘I wanted to talk to you about your friend Oxley.’
‘What about him?’
‘He gave me his spoon.’
Bear nodded. ‘I was told.’
‘Look, I’m not sure how this claiming thing works, but your friends don’t need to help me like that. All it did was make me feel awful that he spent hours locked in the pillory. Tell him thank you, but not to help me again. I can navigate my way here by myself.’
‘He’s just a big softy. Likes helping the vulnerable.’
She saw his mouth quirk. ‘I’m not vulnerable.’ Not as Scarlen Smithson, anyway. It was quite nice being someone else for a while, even if that person was a criminal serving time in prison with people who once tried to kidnap her.
‘You’re stuck with us now, but still, it won’t be long before we go our separate ways. Meanwhile, I’ll tell Ox to let you sort your own messes in future.’
Sounded a little cold, but it was what she had asked for, so she bobbed her head and picked up another card. ‘Ooh, I have a set.’
‘Place it down then. One more and you’re the winner.’
She’d never felt much of a winner before. Some would say she was lucky to grow up in a palace. To have never known starvation, but she did know it, thanks to her father’s games, or whatever they were.
‘You know, you often look sad.’
She jolted at his words but remained focused on finding another set. ‘Everyone looks sad in here. Can’t think why.’
A rumble of a hushed laugh moved his chest, and her traitorous eyes scanned over the curves of his solid muscles. He could have put a sweatshirt on to cover his arms. She was fully covered in her tracksuit, and feeling the heat, as the room was quite muggy. Next time she would wear a t-shirt like him.Next time?
‘How often are we supposed to come in here?’
He placed down a set. ‘It’s once a week, so that much. But the tuck shop is open for business once a month during this time, so some people only spend half hour in family time, then the rest queuing at the shop.’
She didn’t mean to wrinkle her nose, and the action had made his brow rise. ‘I, erm …’
‘You’d rather be out in the yard during this time?’
‘Or outside with some of the families, talking.’
‘We’d have to put on a show for them.’ His grin was slight. ‘Hold hands.’
Scarlen recoiled. Just the thought of touching him in such a way stirred things that had no business stirring. Trying for a subject change, she stole a glance his way, then asked, ‘Do you have any questions for me?’
‘Nope.’ He slammed down his second set. ‘Winner.’
She wasn’t sure what irritated her more: the fact he had won the game or that he didn’t want to know anything about her. ‘So what exactly do you win?’
‘Nothing. We’re playing for fun.’ He smiled, a flash of mischief in his gaze. ‘Unless there’s something you want to gift me.’
Folding her arms tightly was her answer. ‘Another game?’
‘Why not?’
Scarlen wasn’t sure if time sped up or slowed, it was such a blur playing cards with him and somewhat surreal, and it wasn’t until a bang on the door came, calling time, that she felt herself fully wake to her situation.
