CHAPTER 149: PRESENT IN BODY

Jenna sat in a room filled with people and their passing conversations and laughter, but not a word did she hear. Or maybe care to pay attention to. Her eyes remained at the door, waiting for Rhane to walk in through it.

She’d seen her father with Rhane earlier and that alone piqued Jenna’s interest. What were they discussing? From everything she knew so far, her father had no inkling of liking for Rhane.

Was it a threat? As she’d heard about. Noble men offering heavy sums to peasants to leave their children? Wealth wouldn’t be a bargain for Rhane, Jenna thought. If so, then what was her father willing to offer?

These thoughts were louder than the voices of people in the room, making Jenna present in body but absent in mind. Even when a glass of wine was slipped into her hand, Jenna subconsciously held it but didn’t notice what it was.

After a few long minutes, Rhane entered the room. This time with a new shirt and his arm bandaged with a white piece. His hair packed all back in a high ponytail.

Jenna’s toes curled. She loved the sight of him. From a distance, she could guess the scent coming from him. Whatever worries Jenna had before vanished, and all she wanted was to sneak in a corner and have Rhane’s palm covering her bosom and his hot tongue peppering kisses on her face.

She wanted to have his eyes graze her body like a land he was going to plough thoroughly. When Rhane turned to meet her gaze, Jenna blushed.

The anger in his eyes reminded Jenna what her stubbornness had cost him. And even in anger, Jenna couldn’t resist the temptation bubbling inside of her as Rhane’s jaw ticked.

Fierce! Jenna pinched her palm and inhaled. Pushing herself up from the chair, Jenna slowly walked towards the table and dropped the wine she had been holding.

Everyone in the room was still entrapped with excitement. Drinking and conversing just how the hunt game turned around.

It was an opportunity, Jenna thought, biting her lips. She made her way towards Rhane, glancing around to make sure nobody noticed her. Last time she’d made a silly excuse about her dress, but this time she ran out of excuses. All she had to do was be quick and return to her chair before the contest began.

Getting to where Rhane was, the crowd helped Jenna’s effort by pushing her towards him and leaving them squeezed together.

Jenna didn’t let the heaven-granted opportunity go to waste or she’d return to her ancestors a shame. She slipped her hand into his large open palm. Feeling the roughness of Rhane’s hand, Jenna’s ear turned red, she had to bite her lips not to giggle.

"I’ll be outside," Jenna whispered to him, then turned around and left.

Outside the room, Jenna fixed her dress. Making sure her hair wasn’t out of place. She hadn’t applied any powder earlier and Jenna regretted this.

Rhane’s arrival was announced by his heavy steps against the floor. Jenna’s heart raced in sync with the vibration. She turned to look at Rhane.

"What are you-"

"Shh!" Jenna stopped him. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him inside the nearest room. Checking behind Rhane to make sure they weren’t followed. Then she took a step back, covering her face. She giggled.

"I’m sure they didn’t know we are out." Jenna replied with a shy smile. Her eyes fell on Rhane’s bandaged arm and she frowned, reached forward to touch it. "Does it hurt so much?"

Moving his arm away from her, Rhane stared down at the young woman, lazily scanning her dress and hair. "What are you doing, Jenna?" He asked.

Jenna looked up at him, "I knew you wanted to come to me! I found this room earlier and not many persons have walked in." She said, very proud of herself.

Rhane’s brows arched perfectly, "That didn’t answer my question, did it?"

"I-" Jenna opened her mouth, seeing the seriousness in Rhane’s eyes. She gulped softly. Her smile slowly fading.

"I know you asked me to not do anything. I tried...but how could they-" Jenna paused, sucking in a deep breath. "I should have listened to you...I know..."

Rhane hummed, "It’s good you understand all of that and will listen to the words I say to you, from now."

Jenna’s lips curled, she knew Rhane would forgive her easily. He wasn’t one to stay angry at her. "So..." Jenna closed the distance between them, tipping her toes she brought her face forward and her eyes closed.

Rhane pressed one finger on Jenna’s forehead, pushing her gently away from him.

"If that is all, I’ll return back inside." He remarked casually.

Jenna opened her eyes, "What- Why?" She cried out almost loudly. "I mean...you just arrived and..." her voice became low.

"And?" Rhane asked with a serious gaze, his hand now dipped in his pocket.

Blood rushed up Jenna’s face, her ear especially burning crimson. "And...like...the other day...we..."

Rhane sucked his teeth, then sighed. "One of the rules of the trial was to stay away from you. Do you remember?"

Jenna widened her eyes, "Yes! But you don’t care about-"

"Perfect that you remember, my lady." Rhane replied with mirth dancing in his eyes. "Now you’ll go back inside and sit until I’m ready to take you home with me."

Jenna opened her mouth, she wanted to argue and tell him that he no longer loved her. But Jenna herself knew it wasn’t true, all of Rhane’s words clearly had her in his future. Jenna gritted her teeth, she needed something to be the reason for her anger.

"I..." she licked her lips.

Rhane raised one brow, waiting for her to speak but she didn’t. He gave a small nod, "Now run along...or no. I’ll go back inside and act like this never happened."

"You think you can do this because you know how I feel about you?!" Jenna clenched her fist, "I’m going to-"

Before Jenna could complete her words, she moved her legs up to kick Rhane’s shin.

Rhane moved faster than her, walking over to the side causing Jenna to almost trip but he grabbed her by the neck, pinning her back to his chest, his arm covering her neck.

Jenna dug her teeth into Rhane’s arm with her eyes bulged.

Rhane hissed, aiming for Jenna’s bare back. He sunk his teeth there.

"Ow...ow." Jenna cried, releasing Rhane’s arms. "You bit me?" She tried to turn her body but Rhane pinned her to a place.

Rhane grinned, "Did you think I wouldn’t bite back?"

"I’m going to kill you, Rhane! I’m going to..." she struggled again to move, but it was futile.

Seeing that she’d given up, Rhane gently released her. But not before tracing his forehead on her back.

"You will listen to everything I say, Jenna. And God help me— this fragile little dress makes me want to tear it right off you. Don’t tempt me." His words dripped like saccharine melting into Jenna’s heart, then he let her go. And in the same moment, he exited out of the room.

Jenna turned just in time to see the door close, and she ran after him but Rhane had already walked back inside the room.

"I hate him!" Jenna kicked the air with anger. It was a lie. She fiercely, in the roughest way possible, needed Rhane like a deer would water.

And being handled in such manner with his velvet-wrapped voice dripping like honey, muddling her senses. Jenna felt a heat pool in between her thighs.

"You are hopeless, Jenna!" She threw her head back and cried.