Page 106 of Peasants and Kings
“I never would’ve thought that,” I confessed. My grin was so big I felt it take over my entire face.
Hadrian let out a booming laugh at something Bran said to him and then his gaze found mine. The air teased his hair and even across the field, I could see the passion in his eyes.
My heart fluttered in my chest and my smile softened. Hadrian let Bran down to the ground. Bran immediately scrambled back up and demanded they get back to playing.
“He needs a family,” Ingrid said, not taking her eyes off of Hadrian.
“Subtle,” I said to her.
She let out a laugh. “I’ve never seen him like this, Eden. He’s…different with you than he is with us.”
“Different how?”
“He jokes and talks with us, but he still holds himself back. But with you…it’s like he wants to be open but doesn’t know how.”
Her words made the shield around my heart shudder. Seeing him play with kids had already softened me toward him.
“Do you know how Hadrian and I met?” I asked her, pinning her with a stare. “Did Hadrian tell you?”
She paused for a moment and then replied, “He said Ramsey Buchanan introduced you when he was in the States. They’re good friends, but I’m sure you know that already.”
I clamped my lips shut. Ramsey had said he knew Hadrian personally, but I hadn’t realized they were friends.
“Yes. Ramsey introduced us.” It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t my place to be honest with her about the rest of it.
A rumble sounded in the distance and Ingrid looked at the sky. “Storm is going to blow in soon. We should pack up.”
“Too bad. I was having a perfect afternoon,” I protested. “It was really nice…” I shook my head, unsure of what I was trying to say. “It was nice to be around a family.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
The game broke up, and Hadrian jogged over to me and Ingrid. “Storm is coming,” he said to me.
“I’ve been told.” I took his offered hand.
“I’ll come in the boat with you,” Ingrid said. “I have to prepare dinner.”
“Not necessary,” Hadrian said. “I’ll cook for Eden.”
I raised my eyes in surprise. “Oh, really? You’re going to cook for me?”
He winked.
Bran and the other kids ran to say goodbye to us. “Next time you come over, you have to wear better shoes so you can play,” Bran said, bouncing his ball from one knee to the other.
“Only if you’re on my team,” I said with a grin. “Because you totally thrashed Hadrian.”
Hadrian wrapped an arm around my shoulder and hauled me to his side. He bent down and whispered in my ear, “You sure you don’t want to be on my team? I can make it worth your while.”
With one final wave, we headed down to the beach. We got back to Hadrian’s home just in time—the sky opened up and unleashed one hell of a storm.
“You looked like you were having fun,” Hadrian said as we walked into the den. He flipped on the gas fireplace and then turned to stare at me.
I plopped down on the couch and covered myself with the blanket. “Not as much fun as you.”
He grinned. “I let Bran win.”
“Uh huh.”
