Page 52 of The Ruler
Pearl
“Why are we staying here?”
“Because I have arranged for meetings tomorrow and I don’t want to waste time traveling back and forth.”
“But you don’t need me. Couldn’t I go back with Boulder?” Pearl asked, her eyes flickering around the small room with the twin bed, the wooden chair, and the window with the view of the surrounding forest. “At least let me sleep in the other bedroom.”
“No, you’re sleeping here with me.” I wasn’t letting her snake her way out of this one.
Boulder had been surprised when I asked him to lend me his cabin. I had more grand places of my own here on the east coast, but he and I had used this place in the past when we made unannounced visits and wished to keep a low profile.
I wanted to be alone with Pearl and get away from the madhouse that the Gray Manor could be. And for my mission of getting close to her, a small cabin was perfect.
The area around the cabin was rigged with safety traps and my security team was keeping a watch from a distance. Here, I could relax and focus on my plan of seducing her.
“Where are Magni and Finn staying?” Pearl asked and sat her bag on the chair.
“Laura has a twin sister, and Magni wanted to pay her and her husband a visit. He’s hoping that Laura has been in contact.”
“And Finn went with him?”
“Yes.”
“What if Laura never comes back?” Pearl asked quietly.
“Then you and I will grow old together,” I said with a sardonic smile and started undressing for bed.
“Are you going to bednow?” Pearl asked with her big blue eyes unable to meet mine.
“Yes,weare going to bed now,” I said.
“But I’m not tired.”
“I am. It’s almost midnight and it’s been a long day.” After our first stop at the Heinous Whore I’d met with the chief of police in this area to discuss the situation with Edward and his followers. Next I had met with a group of influential people for dinner to make sure I still held their support.
I did!
I left my briefs on before crawling into the twin bed and patted the mattress beside me. “Come on, get in.”
The wheels were clearly turning in her head and she bit her lower lip.
“No, there’s no way around it,” I concluded for her. “Just take off your clothes and come to bed. It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before.”
“I’m not stripping naked.”
“Suit yourself,” I said and placed one arm behind my neck to enjoy the show.
“Do you have to stare at me like that?” she said, annoyed.
I chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” she said with an attitude.
“You are! Remember when you first came and you spoke so calmly and softly? You never raised your voice and you smiled a lot. What happened to yourpropercommunication?”
Pearl drew in a sigh and pulled off her shirt and pants, leaving on her underwear.
“What happened?” I repeated.
