Free Pieces of Autumn by Mara Black

me."
    "If you break these rules there will be consequences."
    He eyed me carefully, trying to read my face. I kept my expression blank.  
    "In light of my terms," he went on, at last, "is there anything you'd like to tell me about?"
    Birdy.
    "No," I said, before I could think better of it.
    The last thing I needed to do was give him more reasons to dislike me. To see me as a burden.  
    But I couldn't fight the feeling that I'd just made a terrible mistake.

CHAPTER SIX
    Presumed Dead

    My first day with Tate almost went so well.
    I ate some of the quiche he'd prepared, not quite daring to chuckle at the fact that I'd once been told it wasn't a manly dish. I would've liked to see anyone say that to Tate's face.
    It was delectable, but I hardly had a taste for it. I kept glancing at the man across the table, trying to comprehend what was going through his mind.
    He might be lying. This might all be some sadistic mind-game to put me at ease, before he raped and plundered and took everything he wanted. But then, why had he touched me last night? The whole thing seemed too spur of the moment, too passionate to be calculated. He hadn't planned on that. He wanted to keep me at arm's length, but his lust demanded something else.
    I was really dealing with two men, not one. How could I possibly hope to understand someone who was so conflicted?
    In the pit of my stomach, guilt swirled. I should have told him about Birdy. But how could I? It was too late, now. I'd missed my chance.
    He deserves to know.
    But if he knew, would he still think I was worth protecting?
    Fear silenced me, but an even greater fear loomed: what if he found out?
    After breakfast, I began gathering up the dishes, without having to be asked. Tate registered slight surprise, but he didn't say anything to stop me as I began washing up. It was a novelty - I hadn't had running water of my own in a very long time. He must've had his own well and pump system, somewhere out there in the back acres.
    "After you're finished, dust," he said, his voice surprising me over the sound of the faucet. "You'll find everything you need in there."
    He pointed to a small door, one that I assumed must lead to a pantry. A few feet to the left of it, there was another door - different. One that looked as if it led to a cellar or a basement of some kind.
    I itched with curiosity, but I remembered. No questions. I wasn't sure if that would be off-limits or not, but why risk it?
      By dust I assumed he meant dust everything , so I started on the main floor. It seemed like a good opportunity to learn something about him. But, although this house seemed like a part of him, there was really nothing personal about it. No pictures, no mementos, only practical items carefully organized.  
    I found several cabinets and drawers, all locked. I wasn't snooping, I was just curious. If I stumbled across something that helped explain my new protector, it could only help me stay in his good graces.  
    Stay alive.
    That was the whole point, after all.
    Most of the rooms connecting to the main floor were locked, as well. I didn't spare much thought for them. Tate didn't seem to walk around with a giant ring of keys, so he must not use them much. I wondered how this house had come into his possession, and why he'd chosen it. His influence seemed to permeate the very floorboards, every step reminding me of him. But the house had to be much older than he was. Maybe it had been in his family.
    If so, any signs of sentimentality had been purged. Only the kitchen seemed to hold any sign of life.
    I remembered my mother once telling me that the kitchen is the most personal room in a house. Even more so than a bedroom, or a den, or any other private space. And I was beginning to understand what she meant. Tate's presence was even stronger here. Now that he wasn't actually in the room, I could feel it. If I closed my eyes, I swore I could almost feel him, smell him.
    Taste him.
    Covered in goosebumps, I went to