Page 77 of The Explorer
“Good. You know what they do with people who fall in love here?”
“What?”
“They give them therapy.”
“Why? People can’t help who they fall in love with.”
“Ah, that’s an old-fashioned belief. We’re taught from childhood to control those unhealthy feelings and most of us do it without any problem.” We picked out some cans, bread, and apples and walked back to the fireplace.
“Everyone knows that falling in love is dangerous and leads to irrational behavior,” Banni continued. “Every French person has heard of the three-hour massacre that killed half a district.”
“Have you never been in love?”
“Nooo.” He shook his head like the idea was an insult.
“But you must have felt something for the women you slept with.”
Banni flashed his teeth. “I’ll tell you what. If you sleep with me tonight, I promise to tell you how I feel about you when we’re done.”
Again, we laughed.
With a quick side glance to Indiana, I saw Britany talking to him and sitting way too close. The jealous dragon inside of me wanted to spew fire at them both but instead I moved closer to Banni and smiled wider.
It was stupid and immature of me to flirt with Banni. The sane part of me knew that I should talk to Indiana about my feelings, but I’d never been good at that sort of thing. To be honest, I had so many confusing feelings that I didn’t know what to tell him.
Leaning closer to me, Banni whispered in my ear. “We have twenty minutes before dinner is ready. Want to go for a walk in the forest with me?”
The offer was right there. Driven by my need for Indiana to feel the pain I was feeling, I whispered back, “Maybe.”
Banni raised his hand and played with my hair. We were standing close with Indiana’s stare burning on the side of my neck.
I had heard Britany tell him that she wanted to sleep next to him tonight, and I’d seen him stay with her when we were both in danger. Indiana had always been mine and now this voluptuous dark-haired beauty was sweeping him off his feet right in front of my eyes.
Fueled by insane pain in my chest, I leaned in and kissed Banni on the cheek.
He smiled and nuzzled his nose against mine, whispering low. “I promise to be good to you.”
Banni was such a fantastic man but sleeping with him as an act of revenge was something I could never do.
“Listen. I’m not interes…” I had only said the first few words in my sentence when my elbow was jerked back and my feet lifted from the ground.
“What are you doing?” I yelled as I hung over Indiana’s shoulder. “Set me down!”
Banni protested. “Indiana, you can’t just…”
But he didn’t get a chance to finish either before my body swung around as Indiana turned and growled. “Get the fuck away from me, Banni. I told you never touch her.”
“She said that you’re not her boss. Aubri is an adult.”
Indiana’s voice vibrated with rage when he sneered, “Touch her again, and I’ll kill you!”
The threat made Banni take a step back. He had seen Indiana fight and knew he could back up his words. I could tell Banni was afraid for me, but I was excited by Indiana’s gruff and territorial behavior.
“Put me down, you orc,” I provoked him as he kept me in a strong hold and carried me in between the trees.
He was panting from walking fast and carrying me at the same time.
“I swear that I’m gonna kick your ass when you set me down. You don’t get to tell me what to do or who to be with. Don’t act like you fucking own me when you’re busy flirting with other women.”
