Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(40)

Grabbing a handkerchief, I started wiping away my blush, pink lip powder, and black eye pencil from my eyes, making my face feel light and airy. Looking back up at the mirror, with my hair half pinned up, I winced. My freckles brightened my cheeks without the blush, but if I had my hair pulled away, I might be able to pull this off.

Tonight was for me.

Tonight, I was going to be reckless.

Tonight, Ava Barlow didn’t exist.

∞∞∞

“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long,” I greeted, striding toward him, feeling the soft dirt under my riding boots. “I had to dodge a few people. I almost ran into George.”

“That would have been”—his eyes inched across my body, lingering over my hips and breasts as a small smile spread across his deviously handsome face—“a disaster.”

A blush blazed on my face. “Are you ready to leave?” I started fidgeting with my fingers, and he nodded. “Great.”

Garrett already had our horses saddled and outside the barn, as he held both reins. He raised his hand for me to take my set, and I strolled to grab my horse, his gaze studying every movement of mine. I shivered, not because of the chill night air, but because I felt naked under his fixed stare.

He waited for me to mount my horse before ascending his and we began our expedition. We rode in silence, which normally wouldn’t bother me, but it did right now. It was as though it muted any intelligent conversation that I could be having with him right now, and it didn’t even have to be that. It could be casual or mundane, anything but curbed and restrained. As I tried to focus on something clever to talk about, besides the weather and his day, he broke through my tongue-tied thoughts.

“Where did you get the clothes?”

I looked at Garrett, who kept his gaze on the grassy field that swayed with the wind ahead of us. The moon lit the landscape, making it a picture-perfect night; the grass looked blueish instead of green, lighting the way to our destination. A light fog hovered over the ground, making the field look magical.

“My lady found them for me. Not quite sure where.”

When he didn’t respond, I glanced down at myself. My breasts were taped down, to keep my boyish appearance, and my hair was braided, under a hat. With no blush, I probably looked like a sixteen-year-old male.

Damn him for making me feel nervous.

To my chagrin, it only took us a short while to get into town, where the celebration was already in full participation. The music was clamorous, with people bustling amongst each other. Colored lanterns hung around the dance floor, and small fires were lit, surrounded by people warming their hands and drinking their spirits, laughing and talking. Couples danced in unison, hand in hand, crouching to go under another couple’s joined arms, smiling and singing as they enjoyed the dance.

We handed off our horses to a gentleman keeping all the animals together as Garrett handed him a few coins. He guided me through the crowd, keeping close by my side, as I took everything in; the long tables of food, the smell of spiced chicken cooked over an open fire, and children hiding under the tables, reaching blindly for sweets. It felt extraordinary, so free and content, and my heart fluttered in my chest, a smile resting on my face. No one knew my name, or who I was.

Turning to Garrett, I paused. He was studying the crowd, looking from one man to a group of them eating and laughing, his eyes narrowed and focused. Did the man have any fun without being a guard dog?

“Garr.”

He didn’t break his observation of the crowd. “Hm?”

Waiting to see if he would look at me, I finally rolled my eyes, halting mid-step. Garrett continued, peering to his left then his right. I crossed my arms; I’d stay put here until pensive Garrett figured out that I wasn’t at his side. It didn’t take but another second before he stood on his tiptoes, scanning over the crowd. He almost barreled into me when he turned around to stalk through the crowd. The look of pure worry in his eyes melted my heart.

“Hello,” I greeted, welcoming him back to my conversation. He exhaled a deep breath, closing his eyes. His hand came up to his forehead, rubbing it with his thumb and index finger.

“Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Ava?” The sound of my actual name coming from him told me he was agitated. And I wasn’t the least bit sorry.

I lifted a brow. “Were you going to stand guard all night, or try to have a bit of fun?”

“We just got here.”

“Yes, and you couldn’t look more obvious by staring daggers at everyone.”

“I wasn’t—” I crossed my arms, and he sighed. “All right, fine.” He unbuttoned the top bottom of his shirt, his dark chest hair peeking out. My jaw unhitched a little, as my gaze trailed his smooth neck, stubbly chin, and piercing blue eyes. “Better?”

I cleared my throat. “Much...much better.” He took a step closer, and my breath choked in its normal rhythm. The closed distance brought the intensity of his body, my feet wanting to move and regain my air supply, but my mind was curious of what this man could do to me. Besides the lack of functioning of half my body.

“Avie,” he whispered over my head. Our eyes locked, his blue ones holding me hostage. “I’m starving. Can we eat?”

I swallowed. “Of course.” My hands relaxed from their clenched state, disappointment washing over me that our current proximity had no effect on him.