Page 41 of The Dire Legacy

He shifts onto his butt and toes off his boots while watching me warily.

What am I going to do? Maul him? I tried that already.

“Is it, okay?” He frowns at his own fork. “This would taste better hot. Some of them came with these warming pods, but I haven’t found any that worked anymore.” He turns the pouch over and studies the back.

I’m glad it’s more entertaining than what I was offering.

“Oh, yea. Expired three years ago.” One of his canines pokes free of his lip when he gives me a wry smile. “At least they’re still edible.”

I’m contemplating breaking my arm and stabbing him through the neck. “What is your deal?” Finishing my cold food, I set the empty baggy against the wall and curl up in my blanket of solitude.

Other people would be less frustrating. Their intentions are obvious with me.

He crumples his own and tosses it next to mine before stretching out on the mat near me. “Let’s just say, I hurt everyone I know.” Letting out a long breath, he folds his arms behind his head. “It’s better for both of us if I drop you off at the town on the north side of the lake.”

So melodramatic.

“I’m not asking you to marry me, just warm my ass up, Peanut.” Wiggling in my burrito, I back my freezing rear against his hip letting the heat of his body radiate into my back.

I’m just starting to doze off when he places his gloved hand on my waist and starts to lightly snore.

It’s a comforting distraction.

Two more days of being near him but no touching. And, he still wears those stupid gloves. He won’t tell me why.

Maybe his hands are furry? He grew up jacking off so much they got hairy.

“What are you giggling at?” Michael grins at me as he follows the wagon.

I let my feet drift over the weeds while they hang off the back. The pile of body parts is small enough they fit in the middle so there’s room to sit.

“I’ve figured out why you wear those gloves all the time.” Warm sun kisses the top of my head between the shade of the trees. Running my fingers over it, I can feel the tiny growth getting fuzzier.

It’s been so long, I can’t remember if I was a brunette or a blonde. Staying shaved made it easier for all of the procedures they’d do on me.

His gray eyes narrow and the corner of his lower lip folds between his teeth making his beard puff. “Really. What’s your guess this time?”

This is the only game we know. Cat and mouse trying to learn more about each other, but neither wants to spill.

How do you spend four days with someone, sleep next to them at night, and know so little?

“Well, you’ve already said it wasn’t burns or scars. You have all of your fingers and they aren’t claws.” My shoulders go back as I raise my chin triumphantly. “That leaves only one option. They’re hairy from playing with yourself too much as a kid.”

He coughs as a laugh overtakes him.

I like how deep and rich it is. It makes my belly feel lighter and my heart take a double beat.

“Yep. That’s it. You have discovered my secret.” He holds his palms up in a sign of surrender.

I let myself slip off the back of the moving cart and wait as he steps closer. “Show me.”

His body moves within inches of mine before he stops. I have to tilt my face to look up at him.

He smells so much better than the last of the rotting guards.

The worn leather of his gloves appear between us, his mischievous smile framed by them. “No.”

With a side-step, he’s past me at a slow stride behind the rolling trailer.

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