Page 34 of Why Cheese?
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, my veins on fire because I can’t help them.
“Do not cry, Vi,” Cheddy says.
“It’s not your doing.” Brie backs him up. “We did this to ourselves.”
“You mean Roq,” Cam snarls over the two of them trying to comfort me. Crossing his arms tight, he spits, “He did this to us.”
They both pull in a hard breath when a low voice says, “Dawn will be here soon.”
Every head swivels up to find Roq standing by the ladder wiping his hands on his apron. He didn’t even bother to replace his shirt, just hung the apron over his chiseled muscles. How long was Roq standing there? Did he hear all of that?
If Roq had, he gives no hint. “We should prepare,” is all he says.
Brie and Cheddy start to gather up the remains of the meal. Roq watches with a curious eye and asks, “What did you think of the samples?”
“They were good,” Brie says.
Roq gives a single grunt and takes a bite of the camembert. His face pinches and he shakes his head. “Far too bitter. You didn’t add enough salt, Cam.”
Rising to his feet, Cam dusts off his hands then smiles at Roq. “You are our expert on bitter.”
That gets a low growl from the man. The tension’s sparking so hot I’m uncertain if they’ll break into a fight or…something very naughty from my dreams. Either way, I need to get out before I’m caught in the middle of a cheese war.
“I should leave,” I say and reach for my purse with my washed, dried, and folded shirt on top. Brie is a whiz with a sink. “I’ll bring your shirt back tomorrow, Roq.”
He nods as if that’s the least of his concerns.Would they all walk around fully naked if I wasn’t here? No, don’t think about their cheese logs swaying in a circle as they stir the vats of milk.
Great, you’re thinking about it.
“I shall escort you,” Cam declares, and he sticks his elbow out to me
“Um…” I brush my fingertips over his biceps, doing my best to not notice that he’s flexing.
“Why?” Roq snarls.
Cam stares him up and down. “Your chivalry knows no bounds. Come, my lady. Let us leave the knave to stew in his own whey.”
Not taking an uncertain maybe for an answer, Cam guides me to the door. He gallantly holds it open while I slip past, then I remember I need to lock up. I juggle for the keys and am about to put one in when he places his hand over the keyhole.
“I’d rather not be trapped outside for the day. I’m afraid my dueling arm isn’t what it once was in these modern times.”
Stupid.Stupid.I could have gotten him killed. Or…eaten. What if someone took a bite? Would he come back without a leg or… What if half of his chest was gone?
Nodding my thanks for him catching my near fuck up, I start to put the keys away.
They’re going to burn. The whole place. A fire will start if you don’t turn the lock. Five times. You know it. Do it. Do it!
Cam clamps onto my hand, stopping it from shaking. “Shall we?” he asks, extending his hand outward.
I nod, gritting my teeth to silence the gremlin, but it’s found a new fear to taunt me with.
What if someone breaks in and eats them? It’ll be all your fault.
CHAPTER TEN
Passionate Provolone
“NOT THAT I’M concerned, but how much farther until we reach your destination?” Cam tightens his hold on my arm and peers around the buildings as if he’s hunting for a sign of the sun.
