Page 14 of The Alpha's Sold Pregnant Mate

She could feel the gazes cast on her by the villagers, but Esme didn't care; she was already used to it by now. The man seemed to be protective of her, and no one dared say a word to her. It was surprising because they would usually not only stare but also remind her that she was an outcast. However, nothing like that was happening right now.

As they walked through the woods in silence, she pulled her hand out of his arm and paused beneath a towering tree. She wanted to run but decided to summon the courage to ask.

“Who are you?”

He stopped in his place and turned to face her.

“I don't understand what's going on,” she added. “Why did you buy me from my father, and where exactly are you taking me?” Her voice carried a stench of terror and concern.

“Too many questions,” he said as he walked back to her with a smile. “Honestly, I don't understand what's happening either…”

“...I don't believe you,” she cut him off.

He sighed, “Fair enough. I wouldn't believe me either.”

He was too calm to be a menace, and why wouldn't he stop smiling?

“Then talk to me… Make me understand,” she requested, anxious for an explanation.

“Look.” He reached out to hold, her, but she withdrew with a suspicious stare. Ignoring the attitude, he continued, “From the way I see it, the man you call your father is undeserving of that title, unworthy of having such a beautiful woman as his daughter.”

She blushed subtly at his last statement.

“Don't flatter me, Mr…?” She cocked her head to one side as if trying to ask for his identity.

“Grey,” he replied, “Asher Grey.”

She glanced at the color of his hair and appreciated the irony.

“My name has nothing to do with the color of my hair if that's what you're thinking.” He beamed a smile at her.

What? How did he…? Is he a mind reader? She thought.

“No, I am not a mind reader,” he replied to her thoughts as though he actually heard them.

Shut up! Esme was surprised and impressed at the same time.

Asher chuckled, “You know my name, but I don't know yours.”

“That's because you didn't ask,” she replied with something that resembled a blush.

She was getting too comfortable with him for someone who was thinking of running away just seconds ago.

He stepped closer, but she didn't withdraw this time. “Would you be kind enough to tell me your name?”

Such a gentleman.

His voice was so calm and comforting that all her fears soon flew out the window. He didn't seem dangerous at all. Asher was nicer to her than anyone had ever been, and he was cute.

“Esme,” she smiled faintly, “Esme Florian.”

“Well, Miss Florian. For starters, I didn't ‘buy’ you from that man…”

“Oh, really?” she said, folding her arms across her chest. “What did you do, then, huh?”

From the look on his face, she could tell that he liked how she looked so serious while demanding answers. She wasn't so dumb if that was what he thought of her.

He sighed and scratched the back of his head. “I guess we both share different definitions of the word ‘buy’.”

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