Free Tales of the Forbidden by Jaden Sinclair Page A

ran his hand down her back, which seemed to nudge Kera awake.
    “Wake up sleepy head,” he said, kissing the top of her head.
    “It’s time for us to get up.”

     
    * * * *
     
     
    Kera opened her eyes slowly, thinking she was still in some kind of dream. But the muscled chest her head rested on and the hand roaming up and down her back was no dream. She pushed herself up fast, pulled the sheet up to her chin, and scooted away from Devon like he was Satan himself. “Oh, God! This is real,” she groaned as she glanced around for a place to hide.
    Devon sat up and smiled at her. “I would think your body would tell you that this was no dream. But if you need help remembering it, I’m more than happy to oblige you.”
    Kera scanned the table of hot food and her face turned red.
    “Someone came in here and saw us?” she whined. “Like this!”
    The grin he gave her answered the question. “Come on.” He handed her a new robe. “Let’s eat while it’s hot. We can fight after if you want.”
    She took the robe from him, staying put as he got off the bed and put one on also. Only once he was heading for the table, his back to her, did she get off the bed and put the robe on in a hurry.
    Kera sat across the table from him. Her body felt so sore she didn’t think she would be able to move much. The small feast set up in front of her was ten times better than the oatmeal or even the best meals she had eaten at her father’s.
     
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    Scrambled eggs, sausage, hot bread, croissants, fruit, and cinnamon rolls were piled high, along with three kinds of juices and two types of coffee.
    It was a feast she had only ever dreamed about.
    Kera ate like there was no tomorrow. She put at least one of everything on her plate as Devon sat back, drinking coffee, eating some fruit, and watching her.
    “Boy, you weren’t kidding about not eating much, huh?” he asked her, teasing and playful.
    Kera swallowed with some difficultly, wiping her mouth.
    “Sorry. Guess I thought I wouldn’t see food like this again.”
    “Don’t be sorry. You hardly ate anything at all yesterday.” He refilled his cup and took a grape from the bowl. “Eat until you are very full.”
    She felt her face heat up as she glanced down at the plate. “I could smell the bread baking. I knew what was being cooked and what I wasn’t allowed to eat. I guess after a day of oats and a lifetime of my father’s scraps I’m stocking up and pigging out.”
    Devon forked up some eggs and chewed on them as he watched her. “Understandable. Think if all I ate was scraps, I’d store up and eat what I could also. But you don’t have to do that now. Take your time. I don’t want you to get sick.” She nodded and went back to her food, trying to take smaller bites. “So why did your father sign you over to the Compound?”
    Quickly she directed her eyes down, and she stiffened. “Can we not talk about my father?”
    “Sure.” He shrugged his shoulders. “What’d you want to talk about?”
    Kera took a drink of some orange juice before she answered him. “What happens to me now?”
    Devon took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. His body language had Kera stiffening, fearing the worst. But what was worse, really; him or the Compound?
    “We get ready to leave the Compound after we have both eaten.” He viewed her closely. “Nothing’s changed from yesterday at the pool, Kera. You’re my wife now.” He sat forward, taking hold of her hand gently. “So hurry up and finish your breakfast so we can get the hell out of here. I want to start spoiling you.”

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    Kera was a bit shocked at that. Spoil her? What did he mean by that? She wondered as she finished her meal and headed for the shower.

     
    * * * *
     
     
    An hour later after having a long shower by herself, which sort of surprised her, Kera stood in front of a full-length mirror looking at a girl who just didn’t seem like her at all. The day she spent here didn’t really