Page 14 of Freedom Mine
Water from her hair soaked the fabric at the top, giving the material a pseudo transparency. Could he undo that knot at her waist one-handed while unbuttoning the shirt with the other? She blushed. He’d been staring at her. He forced himself to turn back to the eggs he’d been frying.
He glanced over his shoulder again. Her eyes remained on him, not the floor, or her feet, but on him.
Progress.
“I could hold a chair out for you, but then these eggs would burn. But something tells me you’re not a formality type of woman, which is why you’re going to sit yourself down when you’re ready. Or, you’ll go running from the kitchen and I’ll turn around to find I’ve been talking to myself.”
When he turned around, she was seated at the table.
“Ah, glad to know I’m not talking to myself. I always get stuck on deciding who gets the last word.”
She chuckled, and it was the sweetest sound he’d heard in a long time. His cock responded all-too-easily to her, so he slid into the chair before she could notice.
“Not only does she laugh, ladies and gentlemen, but she cleans up really well too.”
“Why do you do that?” she asked.
“What? Joke?”
She nodded.
“I don’t usually. But you looked like you needed a laugh, and I stink at telling jokes.” He set the plate of eggs and hunk of bread down on the table. “Do you mind cleaning up the kitchen again? You did such a great job last night, that I may never be motivated to clean again.”
Plump lips opened as if she wanted to say something.
“Go ahead, say it, whatever it is. That’s part of being free, you know. Being able to say whatever you want without fear of being hit or punished.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “I. . . never mind. Yes, I’ll clean up.”
Small steps. In time, she’d speak up, without hesitating, and maybe even tell him everything that was on her mind. He craved the idea of having a real conversation with her, so he could get to know the women behind the façade.
They ate in silence, with her head lowered much of the time, though he noticed her stealing looks at him more and more.
“You did a terrific job cleaning last night. I was able to find everything, which really cut down on the cooking time. No more hunting for the pots and pans I need.”
A slight smile crossed her face, though her eyes remained down. Aside from cleaning the kitchen, he wasn’t sure what chores to give her. Each time he thought of assigning her to one of the men who worked outside the mine, as an apprentice of sorts, he found himself making excuses for why she couldn’t handle the job. The truth was he wasn’t sure he liked the idea of her being around the other men, not until he had a chance to get to know her.
“Are you okay?” Blue asked, snapping him back to the present.
“Yeah, just thinking,” he said as he rose. Whether that was concern or curiosity he read on her face, she was talking more, asking questions no slave would ask.
He really wanted to stay with her, to see what he could learn, but he’d already promised Jace he’d meet him up at Freedom Mine early to discuss where the new adit should go. They needed to find a new vein soon, and with the rainy season coming, he wanted to make sure they had sufficient drainage in the mine.
He leaned over her and grabbed a chunk of bread. She smelled as sweet as that first time he’d leaned over her to unchain her hands and ankles, but there was another scent, industrial in nature, drowning out that feminine scent that was all Blue. Was that autoclean powder he smelled on her?
“Take your time finishing,” he said, pocketing the bread. I’m needed up at the mine. Spend the day learning your way around the property. I’ll find you when I get back.”
She granted him a smile, a real one this time, but it made him uneasy. Would she be here when he returned?
* * *
ALLI
For the first time in years, Alli felt lighter. She’d slept in a real bed, been allowed to shower in a real shower, a fabulously large one at that, and had been given her choice of clothing. When had she ever had a choice in anything she’d done since the slavers had taken her? Then, as she was still trying to make sense of all these new freedoms, Kayo had served her breakfast. He had servedher.
It felt too good to be real, but it was real. No overseers, no punishment room, no being struck or chained to the bed. And he talked to her as if she mattered, as if she were his equal. Free. Was she free? Did he mean everything he said? Her heart was racing so fast at the thought that she could barely focus on cleaning the kitchen.
When she finished in the kitchen, making sure it was spotless, Alli walked without a destination or purpose in mind. Having the freedom to go where she chose was beyond words. Yesterday she had snuck from building to building when Kayo was gone, but now she had permission. . . No, he said she wasfreeto go where she wanted. That meant no sneaking around.
