Page 83 of Rugger: The Huntress

He turned the camera in my direction. In a lone, well-lit kitchen was the head chef ofUri, preparing a number of dishes.

“Very important matters.”

Ten steps ahead.His logic was proof that our union was forbidden. If ever marked for death, the assigned marksmen would kill two birds with one stone–by way of fire, food, ammunition, or the many other ways we were trained to end a life.

Nearly full dinner plates surrounded us. While Sonnie had eaten much more than I had, he still hadn’t even put a dent in the servings we shared. Our hands and mouths werecontinuously moving as we consumed our food, but there was an uninterrupted soundlessness that lulled me with content.

Neither of us were keen on words. Though our vocabulary was expansive, we were quiet by nature. Less was more. So, even in our quietude, so much was shared.

I expressed my gratitude for the moment by constantly consuming the food prepared for me. Sonnie never took his eyes off me. His placidness was clear.

“Thank you–”

I cleared the food from my mouth and took a sip from my water. Before responding, I patted my lips dry with the dinner napkin that was sitting in my lap for easy access.

“For?” I questioned, taking him in for the hundredth time tonight.

Still, he was as astonishing as before. I could only receive him in doses otherwise I’d wreck my veins and cause my own death.

“Joining me tonight.”

“Did you assume I wouldn’t?”

“I wasn’t sure, but I had the rope and tape prepared in case.”

“You would’ve kidnapped me?” I uttered, peaking around as if we weren’t alone.

“With glee.”

I sat back in my chair, trying to stifle the happiness brewing in my bones.

“Admittedly–” I stated, folding my arms across my chest and my legs underneath the table, “I would’ve loved every minute of it.”

“Figures,” he laughed, “Fucking figures.”

His eyes twinkled in the dimness of the room. I watched as he took in a sharp breath of air and released it soon after.

“Penny for your thoughts.”

His finger drummed on the table. He was deep in thought. I was lost in lust. Like. Interest.Something. Possibly everything.

“Your beauty is tantalizing.”

He paused to gather himself before he continued.

“My fingers,” he explained, holding them up for me to see, “they’re unsteady in your presence. So are my thoughts. My heart. My head. My reaction to you is one I’ve never experienced at any capacity. I imagine this is how it feels when a magnet is near metal. When a moth is near an open flame. When molecules near clouds. When my father met my mother.”

“When fire meets fire,” I added.

“When fire meets fire,” he repeated. “Something special happens.”

“Exactly what is it that you want to happen between us?”

“Whatever happens, Gazelle. I have no expectations. I have no goals. If I could just keep getting close enough, long enough, I understand that something special will come of our union.”

“Hearts will be involved.”

“As they should be,” he told me, “I’ve walked around with my heart in my head for far too long. It’s time it be put back in my chest. And, there’s no doubt in my mind that you’re the woman for the job.”

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