Page 38 of Brutal Mate

“Take me for a walk?” Miley scowled at him. “Why don’t you take Moses? I'm not a dog.”

“Miley! What has gotten into you?” Grandma exclaimed, but Kane smirked, pursing his lips as if he were trying to stop from laughing.

“What is so funny?” Miley demanded, crossing her arms over her chest. She glowered at Kane, but it only appeared to make him more amused.

He inclined his head in the direction of Moses on the rug. “I don't think Mo is too pleased at your suggesting there is anything wrong with being a dog.”

It was only then that Miley realized Moses was indeed grumbling with his chin resting on his paws, glowering up at her.

At the sight of him, Miley couldn’t stop from laughing.

“Well, I, for one, think a walk with a handsome young gentleman sounds like a wonderful idea,” Grandma said, and before Miley could suggest that she go then, she added, “Why don't the two of you go and enjoy the fine weather, and I shall have dessert ready for your return.”

Miley opened her mouth to protest, but no valid excuse would quite come to her. And before she could think of anything, Kane rose to his feet and offered her his large, welcoming hand. “Shall we?”

***

Their walk was much more pleasant than Miley would have anticipated. Though they were silent, walking side by side through the herb and vegetable garden, around the pond and into the orchard, it wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as she thought it ought to have been.

And she was almost disappointed when Kane actually broke the silence. She found she was actually enjoying walking with him, not feeling quite so alone and yet without the expectation of conversation.

“Why did you run away?”

The question came so out of the blue that it struck Miley in the chest. His tone actually sounded pained.

Fighting the lump in her throat, Miley said, “Isn't it obvious? I don't like the idea of being forced into marriage.”

She shrugged and looked ahead, unable to meet his gaze.

“It's more than that,” he said, and she could feel his gaze on her, heating her skin where it touched her face.

“If you know that, then you know why,” Miley said, looking at him out of the corner of her eye.

The way the moonlight shone down on him made his jet-black hair glow with a glossy sheen and caught the lighter hairs in his beard, making him look older, even more handsome.

Miley quickly looked away.

“I know,” he admitted, making Miley cringe. “I've been there too.”

Yeah right, Miley scoffed, certain he was just trying to get her to relate to him, to get her to trust him.

She wasn't about to go falling into that trap.

“Is this the part where you tell me we're kindred spirits and we're meant to be together?” she scoffed defensively, sidestepping away from him. “Because I have read enough books to know that's only real in fairytales.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him shove his hands into his pockets.

“I used to read a lot, too,” Kane admitted. “I kinda fell out of the habit when I joined the army. I guess I didn’t need the distraction anymore.”

Again, she felt him trying to worm his way in. What was the matter with him? He can't actually want to marry me, can he?

Her mind whirled, trying to think of any single reason he could possibly want such a thing. There was only one she could think of, one that all men seemed to prize above all else and had for centuries—her virginity. Men were pigs, they always had been, they always would be. Why should Kane be any different?

“I don't blame you for running,” Kane said when Miley remained silent.

At that, she laughed, “Good, because I couldn't care less if you did.”

She could have sworn she saw hurt flash across his gaze, but when she turned her full attention on him, it was gone.

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