She rubbed circles into his back. “Terence, you can’t think like that. Michel has promised you his protection. You will have it, just like me. You’ll see your family again. And they will be so happy to see you.”
Terence sniffled and took a breath. “I hope so,” he said. He pulled back.
“To fight these feelings, you must be grateful for what you have. Focus on those you love. All your actions must be to protect those you care about. That is your duty.”
He sniffed and nodded. She looked at him curiously, wondering about this boy, turning his phrases and tone in her head. Then she heard the noises of Michel and Renault exiting the yurt. They spoke a few more words and said their goodbyes. Eve caught Michel’s eye, and he gave her a nod, which she knew to mean everything was going well. She felt light. Despite the despondent boy next to her, she hoped Michel’s dealings and this journey would end soon, and then they could leave this place. She would be happy to be moving further away from the source of trouble rather than further into its nest.
A few hours later, Michel lay on his back on a mat just at the edge of their camp. He watched the stars with his belly full of another delicious meal from Eve. He felt content.
He caught her scent before he saw her, and warmth went through him.
She sat next to him. “Are you relaxing?” she asked, teasing.
Michel laughed. “Sometimes I do it,” he said. “Watch the stars with me. It’s peaceful.”
“Do you feel better now?” She reclined beside him, her head near his.
“We’ll be headed to France soon.” He paused. “What do you hope to happen when you are there?”
“I thought to try to find work,” she said. “Things have changed.”
“What has changed?” he asked, feeling his heart beat in his chest, in his ears.
She didn’t respond right away, but he felt her body shift. “Have you had many women, Michel?”
“Had?” he asked, amused. “You mean…”
“You know what I mean,” she tutted. “Don’t make me say it.”
“I have no idea what you mean.” He grinned. “I’d really like to hear you say it.”
She let out a sound of exasperation. Then she turned on her side to face him. He did the same.
“You are very handsome,” she said. “I thought so the first second I saw you.”
“I thought you disliked me,” he teased, savoring the closeness.
“I did, but I also thought you were handsome.” She blinked as she searched his face. “I felt things in my body that I had never felt before I saw you. I imagine other women would too.” She reached out to brush a finger on his lips. “How many women have you been with?”
“Why do you want to know that?” He had been no angel in the past, but he hadn’t caused any scandals. He leaned a little closer.
“In my tribe, it is rare to be with anyone before you are married.” She looked up at him. “The men, too.”
“Would that bother you?” He hovered closer to her. “If I had been with someone already?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “How many?”
He gave her a half smile as he looked from her eyes to her lips and back to her eyes. “More than a few.”
She moved closer, her knees touching his. “Did you love any of them?”
“No. Not one,” he murmured. He didn’t really know what she wanted from this conversation, but he was happy to keep it going. “What do you think about that?”
“I don’t know,” she said. She put her hand to his chest, working her fingers into the opening of his shirt. “Thinking of you with another woman…it makes me jealous. In a way, it makes me want you even more.”
Michel let out a groan. “Eve,” he said. They faced each other, the air warm between them. “I’ve never wanted to be with anyone the way I want to be with you.” He knew she could take his meaning in a few different ways, but he was searching her, testing.
She blinked at him. “I’ve never wanted anyone else to have me.”
