Page 90 of The Protector
Flustered by his good looks, I held out the shirt I’d picked out for him. “I like this one,” I said.
Boulder moved closer and took it from me. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I said too quickly and without looking at him.
“You don’t like it either?” he concluded with disappointment in his tone.
“No, Idolike it,” I corrected him. “You look…” I cleared my throat, “…handsome.”
“Christina?” Boulder lifted my face and looked into my eyes. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, of course, I’m just hungry.”
“Oh, okay.”
I was quiet when we walked downstairs, a new realization growing in me that I was still trying to deny.I can’t have feelings for him. That would be ridiculous. The man is an Nman. A brute who brings out the worst in me.Since arriving in the Northlands I had read forbidden books, used improper communication, and engaged in fighting with him. It really was disturbing how easily I had been corrupted by his bad influence.
There was no need for us to escort Pearl, as she was already in the dining room.
“You’re late,” Khan exclaimed with irritation when Boulder and I walked in.
“Yeah, sorry about that. I lost a bet,” Khan explained.
Magni, Erika, Finn, Pearl, and Khan were already seated at the table. They all looked up to study the change in Boulder’s appearance. Finn broke into a deep belly laugh, Magni shook his head, and Khan scrunched up his face.
“What the fuck, Boulder?” Khan finally said.
“It suits you,” Pearl complimented him with a smile and looked at Erika. “Don’t you think a clean shave looks nice on a man?”
Erika looked thoughtful. “A summer shave is all right, I suppose. But personally, I’ve always preferred a man with a beard.”
“Hmm,” Pearl tilted her head. “A few of our men have beards too, but they trim them in beautiful designs.”
“Momma’s boys.” Finn covered his comment with a cough but both Pearl and I heard him.
“Our men are not boys, Mr. MacCumhail,” Pearl corrected him. “Many are highly enlightened, with great intellect and emotional range.”
Magni gave her a look of disgust. “Are you trying to pick a fight?”
“Certainly not. I’m just pointing out that true masculinity is not measured in the size of muscles or the length of beard.”
“You’re right,” Magni leaned over the table with a fake smile. “It’s measured in his size of cock.”
Pearl paled while Finn roared in laughter. “I wish!”
“Must you be so crude?” Erika reprimanded her son.
Magni snorted and opened his mouth to speak but Khan cut him off.
“I’m curious, Councilwoman Pearl. What does masculinity mean to you?”
She put down her cutlery and took a minute before she answered. “This may surprise you but gender plays only a small part in our society. We put much more emphasis on personality and charisma.”
“Is that why you women aren’t attracted to your men anymore?” Boulder asked. “Because there’s no difference between men and women?”
Pearl tilted her head. “What makes you think men and women aren’t attracted to each other anymore?”
Boulder shrugged. “Christina told me.”
