Page 17 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

"What?"

"When you realized I didn't know, you explained things to me, and then you let me choose. I've never had that before. All decisions concerning my life, even right down to what I ate on a daily basis, were made for me. Here, you let me choose."

Miko's wide smile gave testament to how happy that made him.

"They chose what you ate?"

Miko nodded. "I was given food that would keep me healthy, but was not necessarily something I would choose for myself."

"We generally eat what Mrs. Gibbons cooks for us, Miko," Monty said, "but if there is something you don't like, you won't ever be forced to eat it."

Miko turned and gave his father a small bow. "Thank you. I will not..." Miko's forehead crinkled as he frowned. "I willendeavor to try new things and accept that Japanese food is not the same as American food."

"I'm sure Mrs. Gibbons can make you some Japanese food if you want it," I said. "And I believe there is a sushi place in town." I think. I'd never been there. Raw fish. Yuck. I'd rather eat a rattle snake, and had.

"We can go over all of the papers you signed tomorrow," Monty said as he stood and grabbed his cane. "I believe Mrs. Gibbons has dinner ready and we're having steak and baked potatoes."

"Potatoes?" Miko asked. "A starchy plant that grows in the ground?"

My jaw dropped. "You've never had a potato?"

What in the hell did those people feed him?

"I have not, but I've seen pictures. They look very...interesting."

"I like to add sour cream and chives to mine," Monty said, "but Jos does the whole cheese and bacon bits thing on his."

"You should probably try a bite before you start adding stuff," I suggested. "Just to see if you like it."

Miko gifted me with a small smile. "I will, thank you for your advice."

"You can have it any way you want or not at all. That is up to you."

Miko's inhale was a little uneven. "No one except my grandfather ever gave me choices before, and even then he could only allow me so much control over my own life. I'm not sure I know what to do."

"Your choices will never be taken away from you here, Miko. The only time I'll insist is when it comes to your safety." I was a pretty controlling bastard, but for Miko I would try and tamp down on that aspect of my personality. Maybe. "If you are uncertain, just ask me."

"Thank you."

I nodded because I wasn't sure what to say now. I was still pissed that people had taken Miko's choices away from him and realized that he probably wouldn't have married me if he'd known what he was doing.

Unfortunately, that changed things for me. I wasn't sure what to expect when Monty asked me to marry his son, but I had kind of hoped there would be a sexual component since I refused to break my marriage vows.

Now, it was starting to look as if Miko might not even be gay, and I'd forgotten to ask before I jumped feet first into this mess. Monty had dangled the ranch in front of me and I'd sold my soul to have a piece of it.

I was an idiot.

I kept my hand in the small of Miko's back as I led him out of Monty's office and down the hallway to the dining room. I could smell the food Mrs. Gibbons had cooked before we even got there, and my stomach growled. I realized, with everything that had happened, I'd forgotten to eat lunch and I was starving.

Monty took his usual spot at the head of the table. I guided Miko to the seat directly to Monty's right and then sat down next to him. Mrs. Gibbons set a bowl of salad on the table and then took the seat to Monty's left.

"Thank you, Mrs. Gibbons," Miko said. "This looks very nice."

"You're so welcome, Miko," she replied. "I hope you like it."

Miko's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yes, ma'am."

I reached under the table and grabbed his hand. His grip was surprisingly strong.

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