Page 117 of Cruel Legacy

I try to imagine what that would be like to sit at a table with everyone just eating everything. I’m used to food rations because there was barely enough for everyone in the house.

Foster parents get paid to keep kids, but it’s not enough to live off of. Some work, so the payment is additional income, and other parents take in extra kids. Either way, the amount they get doesn’t add up to much, when you factor in groceries and household expenses. That means a lot of times there was no such thing as second portions and snacking on left overs.

It was worse in the last few group homes I stayed in. We were older. Outside of school and curfew, we had less supervision. You had to protect your food or someone would steal your plate.

Since living on my own, I’ve gotten used to the ideas of left overs and having more than enough, but that doesn’t mean I just want people reaching into my food.

Finn cocks his head to the side. “You’ve never shared food before?”

“I have. I shared my booze with you, and didn’t decapitate you for stealing my popcorn.”

“I mean willingly.”

“Sure. I just cook or order extra and give it to whoever I’m sharing with.”

Shaking his head, he says, “Try it this way, Pet. I have some of yours and you have some of my mine. It saves time and money, and I bet you’ll like it.”

“I’m fine with my Swedish meatballs and shrimp. You have fun with your croquettes, steamed cod, and squid puffs.”

“Espencat, and Pulpo a la gallega.”

The words sound smooth, coming off his tongue. “Just because you make it sound all fancy doesn’t change that it’s a squid puff.”

“Is that why you’re saying no? You grossed out by squid?”

“Not at all. I just prefer it breaded and fried.”

“Try it Pet. I promise you’ll like it.”

“You can’t promise that, Number Three. We have different taste buds.”

He scoots closer. “How about this? You try it, and if you don’t like it, I’ll tell you another secret.”

I shift, angling my body towards him. “What if I do like it?”

“Then you’ll share your plates with me.”

“Fine.” I lean over to grab one, but he pops my hand before I can.

“The fuck, Finn?”

He picks ups a squid puff and says, “Close your eyes, and open your mouth.”

“I can feed myself.”

“We’re gonna do it this way. Close your eyes. That way you’re not looking at it and you can just focus on the taste.”

“I can taste fine with my eyes open.”

He bites his lip and shakes his head. “Trust me when I say some things taste so much more decadent when you savor it with your eyes closed.”

His gaze rakes down my body, and I’m rocked with a memory of him sucking on my nipple at my chastity vow celebration. His voice is huskier when he says, “Close your eyes and open wide.”

I do. Not because I’m having a reaction to his voice and how it sounds like sex. Or because my body is warm, imagining him saying those words as I’m on my knees. Nope. I do it, because I want another secret.

His finger skates across my lower lip, then dips inside. I crack an eye open, because that’s not food. “Don’t peek. Just roll with this.”

“It better be an astronomical secret for dealing with this.”

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