Free Roark (Women Of Earth Book 1) by Jacqueline Rhoades Page B

course, have a generous clothing allotment though I can’t guarantee the delivery of the more exotic fabrics since personal space on the transports is limited.”
    He was in the closet and reaching for a clean shirt before he realized she was no longer with him. He stuck his head out the closet door and there she was, standing just inside the room at the open double doors. Her mouth was slightly open and she was staring at the large bed in the middle of the room.
    “It is my failing,” he said of the rumpled bed clothes and the pile of dirty laundry on the floor. “I am not tidy and I have yet to choose an orderly to see to such things. Once installed, I will have Harm send the candidates to you and you may choose whoever you feel most comfortable with unless you would prefer to hire a woman from the outside. Do you cook?”
    “No.”
    “Then I will notify the commissary and they will prepare your meals according to your directions. I would ask that you keep a variety of ready-made foods on hand since my hours may not always coincide with your meal times.” It was the first thing on his list of requirements that she had not met. Disappointing, but perhaps she would be willing to learn.
    “No.” She gave no explanation for her refusal.
    “No?” he prompted and when she continued to stare at the bed, he added, “Have you other ideas for meals?”
    “No to all of it.” She looked up at him then and no armor could protect him from those piercing gray eyes. “What did you think? Poor girl in her worn out clothes living in a hole in the wall, all I have to do is show her a beautiful apartment and my great big bed and she’ll jump right in it?” She waved an imperious hand at him. “I command it, so it shall be,” she intoned. “Must be nice to be King, but I’m not the kind of subject who will drop to her knees before a guy she doesn’t know.” She turned her on heel and marched from the room.
    Roark followed her. Just as she reached the front door, his hand shot out over her head and pushed it shut. She turned beneath his arm and looked up at him. She was furious.
    “You will explain that, since I am not a King and I have not commanded that you drop to your knees before me.” Although the thought had its appeal.
    “I thought I made myself pretty clear. I’m not interested.”
    “That is a lie. You are interested. You find me attractive.” Ahnyis had assured him of it.
    She closed her eyes and made a noise in her throat that sounded a bit like a growl of aggravation. “Yes, I find you attractive, but I also find sexy pictures of men in magazines attractive. That doesn’t mean I hump the pages.”
    “I’m happy to hear it. There are several acts a female can perform that I find sexually arousing. That isn’t one of them.” He offered her his most charming smile. “You see? We are already finding commonalities.”
     

 
    Chapter 7
     
    Mira didn’t return his smile. “You know nothing about me, my likes or dislikes, so here’s lesson number one. I’m not for sale.”
    “I know that, and for your family, it is a pity for you would bring a fine price on which they could live well. High soft breasts, a narrow waist, flared hips, and an enticingly rounded bottom all bring good prices in the Bride Market. Together in one female, they are worth a fortune. Add to that the color and silky shine of your hair, if it was allowed to flow freely and not be tied in a rope along the back of your head,” he added as a qualification before he went on, “your white, evenly spaced teeth, as well as your intelligence, and the bidders for your hand would be lining up. Your Bride Price would skyrocket, though that scowl you’re wearing would diminish the price considerably.”
    Her eyes closed, her cheeks colored, and her breath puffed out between her lips. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
    There was a whole lot about the situation that she couldn’t believe. Backhanded though it was, she was pretty