Once I’ve relocked my armory, I head back to the kitchen.
“That was fast. That’s everything you need?” She looks at the black canvas bag on my shoulder.
“I have everything else at the lodge. Just needed to grab these.”
“The lodge?” She chews slowly, a wad of gummy bears in her mouth.
“It’s my home, my real one. This place was sort of an experiment for me, I guess you’d say. I’m more used to living alone and far, far away from other people.” I don’t want to go into detail about why that is. Not now. My past isn’t something I want to share with Orchid until she’s ready. She’s already under stress. Now is definitely not the time to tell her about my family.
“You have another house? Like a vacation house? Some of the families on the land had hunting cabins up in the mountains. Like that?”
“Something like that.” I take her elbow and lead her from the kitchen and into the garage.
Orion follows behind, and as soon as I open the door for Orchid, he jumps into my truck.
“He’s being so good.” She climbs up behind him and settles into the passenger seat.
After I load up the bed, I lock up the house and get in. I pat my chest once to make sure her ring is still hanging there, looped around my neck where it’s been since I found it. She left it to me in payment for my truck.
But that ring means a lot more than money. It means the world to Orchid, and she means the world to me.
“I’m kind of excited. I’ve never been to a vacation home.” She pets Orion, who’s already curled up in her lap.
“I’m glad I’m your first.” I back out of the garage.
In the light from a streetlamp, I see a blush creep into her cheeks as she glances over at me. “Same.”
12
ORCHID
My eyes flutter open when something warm and smooth brushes against my mouth. The first thing I see is Sully’s eyes.
“Sorry.” He drops his head a few inches. “Couldn’t help myself.”
“Sleeping beauty?” I smile at him.
He can kiss me whenever he wants.
“I’m no prince, Petal.” He lifts his head, and our eyes lock once again. I think he’s trying to make it really clear to me what he’s saying.
I might be a bit obsessed with romantic fairy tales. All books really. Especially now that I get to choose the ones I can read. No matter what, I end up in the romance section when I’m in the library or searching for something online.
“Who wants the prince? I’d rather have the king, but if we’re picking fairy tales, I’ve always been a lover of beauty and the beast.” His brows pull up high as if what I’ve said has surprised him. I’m starting to love when he gives me that reaction just as much as his smirk. I know he only does it when I catch him off guard with what I’m saying. Which, to be honest, feels like it’s quite often. I never know what’s going to come out of my mouth when he’s around.
When you come from a world where the girls are forced to be all the same, it’s nice to think I can surprise people by being different. Especially when it’s Sully. I’m finding when it comes to him, everything is different.
“I would have guessed you were more of a Rapunzel fan.” He gives the tip of the braid I’d put in my long hair a tug. It goes all the way down to my waist. I have to say I do love my hair. It’s pretty. But for so long, I hated what it represented and that we were never allowed to cut it even if we wanted to.
“You like my long hair?”
“You could be bald, and I’d still love every inch of you, Petal.” My heart warms at his words. I swear this man is filled with sweetness for me.
“Would you cut it off?” I don’t know why I’m having this conversation right now. It’s the middle of the night, and I’m pretty sure we’ve arrived at our destination.
I dozed off at some point. Sully was probably happy, because I’d been peppering him with all kinds of questions. I’m sure he welcomed the break. I can’t help that when I’m around him I can’t stop talking. There are so many things I want to know about him. Plus, it’s nice to have someone to talk to besides Orion.
I found that I could get some things out of Sully easily. Simple things like his favorite music or color. But other things not so much. When I realized my pressing wasn’t getting much, I let it go. It stung a bit, but I got it. The past can be a hard thing to talk about, and I’ve noticed a few scars on Sully in random places.