Page 21 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

"We should probably get to bed," Jos said as he stood, holding his hand out to me. "Ranch life starts pretty early."

I gave a nod as I took his hand and stood.

Jos led me into the house and up the stairs to a room halfway down the hallway. When he opened the door, I peered inside. It was a large room, much larger than the one I'd had back in Japan. Pretty sure I could fit four of my old room in this one.

"I hope this room will be okay," Jos said. "You can change anything you like."

"It is very nice."

Way nice.

I noticed that my luggage had been placed on the bench at the bottom of the bed. The single box of belongings I had brought with me had been pushed under the bench.

"Do you want me to wake you up in the morning when I get up or do you want to sleep in?" Jos asked.

"What time does ranch life start?"

"Breakfast is at six."

I nodded absently. "The time difference here might be a bit to get used to, but I usually get up at five. Is that okay?"

Jos stared at me. "You get up at five o'clock in the morning?"

I smiled at his shock. "Grandfather always said it was best to greet the day when it arrives."

"I suppose I can understand that."

I nodded enthusiastically. Mornings were my favorite time of the day. Mostly because everyone else was asleep and I could enjoy just a few minutes of silence to myself.

"There's an empty dresser where you can put your clothes." Jos pointed to a door on the far side of the room. "The bathroom is through there. If you need anything during the night, I'll be in the guestroom right across the hallway."

My eyebrows snapped together as confusion swamped me. "You are not staying here?"

Jos swallowed tightly, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat as if he was uncomfortable with what he was saying. "Miko, under the circumstances, I think it's best if we live in separate rooms."

"Married couples live together, don't they?"

"Usually, but ours isn't a love match, Miko."

That hurt even if it was true.

"You didn't even know you were getting married until afterward," Jos continued. "I refuse to force you into a relationship not of your choosing. Hell, I don't even know if you are into men or not."

I wasn't sure that it mattered.

I had already accepted Jos as my husband, which meant I had to be gay since he was a man. Before now, my sexuality had never been a question simply because I always knew I would be used for whatever purpose my family chose.

I never got to decide for myself.

Guess things weren't that much different here after all. For a moment, I had forgotten that my life wasn't my own and I didn't get to make decisions for myself. I had let hope blossom in my heart for just a moment.

I was stupid.

"I understand," I said in a low respectful voice as I pressed my hands together and gave a proper bow. "Thank you for explaining it to me."

I didn't know what Jos's heavy sigh meant, but I took a cautious step back. If they had lied about me having choices,what else had they lied about? Would I be punished if I didn't follow the rules?

It would be great if I knew what the rules were.

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