Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,28

a hint of a whine.

“Yes,” I answered honestly. “I don’t want to miss you, but yes.” His eyes brightened at my admission.

We began an easy conversation, avoiding all the weighty topics that strangled my heart with a tight grip. I showed Josiah my new room, and he was equal parts impressed and sad. I don’t think Josiah wanted me to like being in the Dormas province.

“What were some of your favorite meals I used to make?” I asked. Josiah groaned in response.

“Oh God, Ash, do I have to list off all the amazing things you’ve made for me? It’s bad enough I don’t have you, but living without your cooking will be the death of me.” He put a hand on his forehead dramatically, making me giggle.

“Oh, hush. I’m in a house full of men now. I was trying to think of what foods I could make to thank them for this amazing room.” I explained.

“What do you mean a house full of men?” Josiah asked with a forced and angry tone.

“All the town's leaders live here,” I answered.

“FUCK!” Josiah roared.

“What?!” I asked. His outburst was entirely out of character.

“How much research did you do on Dormas?” he asked me.

“I did enough.”

“Did you see that they are experiencing a shortage of women there?” he asked with a hint of malice. “Some of them share women.” His face twisted in disgust. “They just toss them around like toys,” he explained.

Josiah’s words drenched me in fear. Surely, they wouldn’t expect that of me, would they? “Ash, you need to come home.” Josiah pleaded while gripping the edge of his bedroom desk. I considered leaving, despite the fantastic room and the promise of freedom. The Black brothers’ intentions with me seemed too unsettling, but just as I was about to ask Josiah to send transport for me, Jules' voice rang through the speakers.

“Who are you talking to, Jo? I thought we could continue what we started last night.” Jules’ sultry voice made my throat close up, and tears threatened to spill down my cheeks.

“Maybe you should have considered that before allowing me to leave,” I said bitterly.

Josiah absorbed my expression painstakingly. I didn’t hide my hurt. I let him take it on for the brief moment shared between us, and then I switched the screen off.

No matter what Cyler and his leadership council intended for me, I refused to face the deception and pain Josiah offered.

Chapter Eleven

I gathered my courage and made my way to the kitchen after spending hours researching Dormas on my tablet. Sure enough, articles explaining their peculiar solution for a lack of females came up on many sites. At first, I was alarmed, but as I flipped through the images provided, I saw a handful of women with big smiles on their faces, surrounded by adoring men. I almost felt jealous, but I wasn’t sure it was a lifestyle I wanted.

I decided that tonight at dinner, I would discuss with Cyler what exactly my role here in his home would require of me. If I felt their intentions to be anything of that nature, then I would take Kemper up on the offer to move into a guest house.

I decided to make a stew out of what little supplies I found in their kitchen. Ingredients for chocolate cake sat on the counter in a prominent display, so I took that as a hint to bake Cyler a get-well dessert.

While the cake baked, everyone began trickling into the kitchen. Cyler was first, despite his injured leg. He hobbled hurriedly down the stairs and plopped himself down at the kitchen table. He then licked the spoon I used to mix the batter. I tried not to watch the methodical way his tongue danced across the chocolate mixture.

Maverick and Kemper came next with a man I had not yet met. He had dark skin and buzzed dark brown hair. His chocolate eyes were playful, and I liked the way his smile made the entire room come alive.

“I’m Jacob.” He introduced himself with an outstretched hand, and I nervously took it, accidentally covering his hand with the chocolate icing I was currently mixing up. He laughed at the mess between us, then slowly licked the frosting from his palm. The motion made my belly warm. He was muscular but not nearly the size of Cyler and Maverick. He moved with a confidence that couldn’t be faked. His tongue flicked the icing with a precision that made my heart race.

“Ah! Jacob, sit down a