Page 9 of The Hummingbird’s Gift

Of course, he couldn’t, as another strength sharer. Maybe if Tier weren’t the Chief, they could get away with it, off in a little cabin somewhere, just the two of them. But the tribe was too important to both of them. Even if Tier was interested, which now felt increasingly unlikely, he would never sacrifice the balance of the tribe just for Ro.

The idea of fitting his bulky body onto Tier’s smaller lap was preposterous, too. Tier was a perfectly sized man, slim with an athletic build. As much as he lived at his desk, he took his training with Kayla seriously and worked out every day. Anyone would see him as handsome and powerful.

No, it was Ro who was too big. He did nothing but work on the farm, his burly physique conditioned only by the natural labor. Yet his muscles bulged and his legs were meaty. His belly was round and a little saggy. He liked his body when it could do things for him, but when he was around Tier he sometimes wished he could be small and cute like Declan. Declan could crawl into someone’s lap and look cute.

Rohahen could completely understand why the Chief wouldn’t be interested in him. He had probably been reading things all wrong.

The Chief opened his eyes, then awkwardly cleared his throat. He looked at Ro like he was trying to figure something out, and it wasn’t going well.

Suddenly, Ro wasn’t feeling so hungry anymore. He shoved the biscuit into his mouth anyway, tasting nothing. He was a good advisor, he knew. But he had made too many assumptions.

“I’ll help get Nina settled in,” he said, grasping at the last thing they’d talked about. “I can interview her, too.” He stood, then carefully placed the chair back where it belonged, avoiding turning back to look at Tier. “Enjoy the biscuits.”

“I, um, was hoping that you would enjoy them with me,” the Chief returned, sounding no less awkward.

“I have to check in with the farm crew. And then I’ll visit Nina. Where’s she staying now?”

“At the heart singer’s home with the others.”

“Good. I’ll let you know how it goes.” He quickly exited and closed the door behind him.

What had he expected? That Tier would throw him over his desk, overcome by lust? That he would take him in his arms and confess his undying love? Rohahen was so pathetic he would have settled for just a touch of his hand.

It all seemed stupid now. Declan had been wrong about everything.

Rohahen stomped down the stairs. He still had plenty of work to do. And if he put all of his energy there, he wouldn’t have to worry about anything else.