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The energy coiling around us is electrifying. Romeo is holding me tight against his muscular chest with concern laced into his hardened features. My palm rests on his chiseled chest, a steady, fast beat telling me the truth. Romeo was scared—for me. My body tingles with the intimacy, rattling the invisible walls I’ve put up around me.
I had no idea pigs are as dangerous as Romeo is saying. He takes a step back, putting distance between us. I’m too stunned to do anything but stare at his sculpted back as he turns away. When he bends to pick up the buckets that have spilled on the ground, I turn back toward the pen. I gasp for air, not expecting to be so unsettled by how easily he walks away. Searching the pen with my eyes, I can’t see the shoe anymore.
Each morning over the next week, we go out to feed the pigs or clean their stalls. I can’t tell if there’s a pattern for when we do what. But I have noticed that not all the pig stalls get food every day. Or sometimes, the food goes untouched.
Today is no different. Once Romeo has moved the pigs out of the stall, the food I snuck them last night lays covered in flies in their trough.
“How is it you convinced me to agree to marry you, when you have me cleaning out pig shit?”
“I didn’t used to make you do it.” He pokes his head out from around the corner, smiling like the cocky asshole he is. I have my nose covered with the neck of my shirt, causing the hem to rise above my belly button.
I can’t help but chuckle. Romeo is slowly warming up to me—in the sense that I like to pester him and see how he reacts. You can tell a lot about a person by how they manage frustrations and anger.
“Why are you making me do it now?” That seems unfair.
He walks fully in, looking as handsome as ever. Yes, even while carrying around a pitchfork that is covered in shit. He doesn’t shy away and looks me up and down before giving a one-shoulder shrug.
“I quit.” I playfully push my pitchfork to the ground, crossing my arms over my chest.
“The only way you’re getting out of this is if you agree to marry me.” He bats his gorgeous forest-green eyes.
As I step toward him, his eyes dance with winning pride. My hand feathers his chest and follows the length of his arm to his hand. His arrogance has him playing into me perfectly. When he steps in, eyes hooded, I snatch his pitchfork from him.
“I guess I’ll keep cleaning shit then.” I wink before going back to my task.
The hair on my arms rises, and I know he’s still watching me. There is an odd zap in the air when he’s intently staring at me. This isn’t the first time it’s happened.
“It’s cute that you think you have an option.”
I want to stomp toward him and tell him how it is, but I refuse to play into his hand.
“You’re going to fall in love with me, Gia. Mark my words.” His voice is low and husky.
“I think you need to up your wooing game.”
“No, no. I don’t want you to call me on false advertising.” He steps over to the side to see my face. I have learned that Romeo likes to see how I’ll react by watching my expression.
I’m fighting hard against a grin. I enjoy arguing with him. Our conversations come naturally, and I seek his banter more than I would like.
“Why pigs? How did you and Max come to be here?” For the first time since I woke up here, Romeo flinches. It’s sudden, and I think I almost imagined it.
“Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?” He deflects with a question.
“You would know more than me. You ever tell me this before?” I turn to give him my full attention. The tables have turned, and he’s the one under scrutiny.
“I’ve thought it before.” He chuckles and begins to clean out the stall with me. Then, after two swipes, he leans his fork up against the wall, and his smile grows larger than I’ve seen before. He takes a step toward me. It’s commanding in the way he strides.
I drop my fork, trying to escape him.
“You sure you want to do that?” he asks.
I take off, attempting to run, but my muscles cry in protest, and he catches me before I ever had a chance.
He picks me up, and my legs naturally wrap around him before my back is pushed against a wall.
“Let me take you out on a date.”
My chest is rising rapidly, my heart pounding with his proximity. “Last I heard, I totaled your car, and we’re stuck here until I get you a new one.”
