He reached out and cupped my face with his hand. “I wouldn’t lie to you, Rebel.”
“It feels…the same.”
“I know, and I wish it weren’t necessary, but it is. If it will make you feel better, ask Tee-Tee about it. She’ll tell you the truth in the same way I have. Watch as the ranch hands enter the dining hall; you’ll see they go through the same process you will.”
I shrugged; until I saw how it worked with my own eyes, I couldn’t help but be skeptical.
Edge glanced at his watch. “We should leave.”
I followed him out to the garage, he opened the passenger door of the truck, and held out his hand. Instead of helping me in, he drew me into his arms. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten, Rebel. Tonight, you’re all mine.”
His whispered words sent shivers down my spine. I turned my head, wishing he would kiss me, but he didn’t.
“I won’t want to stop,” he said, as though he’d read my disappointment.
It didn’t take long for us to get to the dining hall. Edge pulled up in front, and before he could come around, I jumped out of the truck.
“Don’t do that,” he muttered when he met me by the front bumper.
“Do what?”
“You’re a lady, Rebel, and as such, I expect you to allow me to be a gentleman.”
“I can manage—”
“I don’t want you to manage. The next time you go against my wishes, there will be consequences.”
I laughed but he didn’t. “You’re serious?”
His eyes bored into mine when he nodded.
“What kind of consequences?”
“You’ll see.”
When he took my hand, my first instinct was to pull away. However, his threat made me think twice. As we approached the main dining hall door, Edge pointed to what looked like a trackpad mounted to the wall. He took my hand and pressed it to the pad. “Look here.” He pointed to a screen above it. Within seconds, I heard a click and the door automatically opened.
“If there’s ever someone behind you, they’ll know not to follow you in. Even if they tried, the door would close before they could get through it.”
“This is crazy,” I mumbled.
Edge motioned for me to go inside, and as I crossed the threshold, the door closed like he’d predicted it would. I heard another click, the door opened, and Edge joined me.
“Let’s find Tee-Tee.”
As he said her name, she came out of a set of double doors.
“On time. I was beginning to think you wouldn’t be.” She motioned me over to her. “You can pick her up after dinner,” she said over her shoulder as we walked away.
Edge held up his hand, and I waved goodbye, wishing I had expressed more appreciation for everything he was doing for me.
“I’ll give you a tour. After, we’ll start prep for dinner.”
“If you’re too busy, I’m sure someone else could give me a tour.”
“I said I’d do it.” She motioned again for me to follow.
Twenty minutes later, I had seen the dry-food storage areas, the walk-in coolers, and the main kitchen where the grills and ovens were located. As we walked, she asked me about the different things I liked to cook. Almost everything I told her was a dessert or sweet of some kind.