Page 39 of Hidden By the Convicts
“I don’t mind it so much. My work keeps me busy, and it’s peaceful, not like the mines. I spent two years in those hell holes before Dresden found out I was a horticulturist.
“He transferred me over here. At the time there were hundreds of prisoners on East Side, planting and picking crops by hand. The fields were a nightmare, and the greenhouse, even worse. The guy before me had slowly lost his grip on reality. I think they transferred him to the mines where he later died in a cave-in.
“Food’s no longer a problem, especially since we got the harvesters and planters. And Bowen does a great job programming those and managing the men for jobs the machines can’t handle.”
“You talk a lot about everyone else, but not about yourself. I still don’t know what makes you tick, Gavin.”
His eyes dragged up from the melon he was cutting for her. “I love being in a greenhouse, working with my hands, seeing life emerge from the trays or being able to save a plant that’s been infected. I have a purpose. Two thousand plus, prisoners and guards, count on the food we supply. But I try not to think about being on Narkos. It’s easy enough to pretend I’m working back on Argus.”
“I guess I know what you mean. I loved my job on Argus. Before my last boss took over.” The memory of her boss pinning her down grabbed hold of her harder than usual.
“Teagen?” Gavin’s voice reached down to her like a lifeline. When she glanced up at him, those gray eyes she loved so much filled with warmth.
“I’m okay. The past has a way of jumping up and biting me when I least expect it.”
He put the knife down, wiped his hands on a nearby towel, and took her face in his hands. He’d never done that before. Touched her so intimately as he stared into her eyes. Then he drew a deep breath, and dropped his hands to his side.
“I need to get to work. Remember to stay inside.”
“Was there something you wanted to say to me, Gavin?”Please say you like me, so I know I’m not imagining it. I want to know you, Gavin. Please, let me in.
Chapter Ten
HARLIS
Harlis studied Bowen as he programmed the one working harvester to head up to one of the northern fields. Bowen had disappeared early this morning before he could talk to him.
The man seemed like himself, but different. Worried, sure, but somewhat more at ease too. And Harlis knew why. Bowen had slept with Teagen earlier in the week, and she’d been in his bed every night since.
Until last night. When she’d slept in his bed. Now that she had, Harlis wasn’t sure he could let her return to Bowen’s bed every night. Some nights, sure, but not every night. He wanted more with her. She didn’t have to limit herself to just Bowen. And for as much as he wanted to keep flirting with her and finally touch her, Gavin was right. He had to go slowly with her, let her choose who and when. And how.
She’d been rebuilding her confidence and Harlis didn’t want to destroy that. Maybe in time she’d choose him too. If only he could get that day he had returned home and found her on top of Bowen, fucking him, out of his head. He wanted to be a part of their fun, especially since he never thought Teagen would ever have sex with any of them. Sure, he’d gone down on her that day in the greenhouse, before Bowen got thrown into the hole, but that had been for her, to show her not all guys wanted to hurt her.
Bowen was the one who said they couldn’t touch her. That’s why Harlis was upset. He’d been letting that point churn in his gut for the entire week, and he couldn’t take it anymore.
“Just tell me the truth, Bowen. How did you get her to fuck you?”
Bowen didn’t even bother turning from the harvester’s control panel. “Watch your mouth.”
“I’m serious. You said hands off. When I left, you were staring at the wall, lifeless except with your eyes open. When I returned, she was on top of you, and not just fucking you, either. She was fawning all over you. What did you promise her?”
Bowen slammed the panel shut. “Nothing. It was her decision. I didn’t force her, and I’m not going to apologize for being with her.”
“She’s vulnerable, Bowen. You said so yourself.”
He leaned his head against the harvester. “I know.” The words came out as a sigh, as if he was beyond tired, beaten down.
Harlis felt for the man at that moment. Bowen held himself to a higher standard than anyone else, and he’d broken his own rule. Not that he would ever hurt Teagen. And she definitely looked happy with Bowen. But Harlis had felt what it was to have her cuddle up next to him. He wanted more of that, and not just as a default when Bowen wasn’t around.
“She likes you, Harlis. And Gavin, but she’s fragile. Go slow with her, okay?”
“You sound like all I want is to screw her.”
“You said it, not me.”
“Fuck, Bowen. I know I’ve only been here a year, but I’m as lonely as anyone else. And she’s, well, she’s sweet. She smiles at me like I matter and makes me forget this place. I like her. Is that so wrong?”
“No, it’s not. Just don’t push her.”
