Becoming Calder (A Sign of Love Novel)(57)

Xander shrugged. "I suppose that might be where Eden comes in. Surely the council members keep some money on them. She could start taking just a little, so they don't notice when she does it."
"Stealing again."
Xander let out an annoyed breath. "Do you have a better idea?"
I shook my head and squinted up at the sky. "No."
Xander was quiet for a minute. "Does Eden know how to count money?"
"I barely know how to count money. I mean, I know in theory, but obviously not in practice."
Xander nodded. "I don't know if we can risk bringing anyone else in Acadia into this."
"No, we can't." I thought for a minute. "What about the Castle family? Think there'd be any way of contacting them?"
"Ah geez, I don't know," Xander said, running his hand through his hair.
Bob, Tina, and Melissa Castle were a family that had come to live with us several years ago and then one day, in the middle of the night, they'd taken their things and left, right after Bob Castle had been punished by Hector for insolence. I never knew what the "insolence" was exactly, but Hector talked about those who weren't righteous would never feel comfortable in Acadia, and would be lured back out into the sinful society, as had happened with the Castle family. But I wondered if the Castle family would have another story to tell. Who knew if we could even trust them? My brain was all scrambled most of the time these days. The only people I knew for sure I could trust with my very life were Eden and Xander.
"They might not help anyway," I said. "I never knew them very well."
Xander sighed. "Let's see what Eden says about the money situation up at the main lodge. One step at a time, okay?"
"Yeah. Okay."
"And no more stupid testosterone-fueled stunts with Hector. In fact, you might be wise to apologize to him."
I grimaced. "I'm not sorry."
"Fine. But at least pretend you are."
I tensed my jaw and pictured him bringing Eden's knuckle up to his lips again. But Xander was right. If I wanted to get her away from him, I needed to play this smarter.
As it turned out, I didn't have to go to Hector on my own to offer an apology. The next morning, he summoned me to the main lodge.



CHAPTER THIRTEEN


Eden



The morning after the festival, Hailey woke me early and told me Hector wanted to see me after breakfast. I sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, feeling a nervous flutter in my belly. "Did he say why?" I asked sleepily.
Hailey shook her head, opened my closet, and pulled out my clothes. She laid my skirt at the end of my bed and then sat down. I propped my pillows behind me so I was sitting up, too.
Hailey studied me for a few seconds and then looked down at her hands. "Your wedding is drawing near, Eden." She paused and I furrowed my brow. "Hector would like me to educate you on the details of your wifely duties. He instructed me to do it as soon as possible."
I froze, her meaning immediately clear and a feeling of dread raced down my spine. I took a deep breath. I would never be Hector's bride. Calder was going to take me away from here before that could happen.
But I could use the lesson, couldn't I? I wanted to know all the ways to please a man. I wanted to know all the ways to please Calder, without him having to show me himself.
"Please do," I said softly.
Hailey glanced at me and her cheeks turned pink. Before she looked away, I thought I saw distress flash in her eyes.
"A woman doesn't enjoy these things, Eden, but a mistress or a wife performs them anyway. Do you understand?"
I shook my head. "No," I whispered. "Doesn't Hector bring you pleasure?" I felt my own face fill with heat and knew my cheeks were flushed, too.
Hailey looked back at me and pursed her lips. She took one of my hands in hers and said, "It is not always unpleasant, and you shouldn't fear it. But only a loose, impure woman takes pleasure for herself. You should focus on your husband only."
I furrowed my brow. Was I loose and impure? I must be, for I had surely enjoyed pleasures of the flesh with Calder. In fact, enjoy might be an understatement.
Hailey took a deep breath. "Things happen to a man when he is aroused. You'll know he wants you in bed when he . . . hardens."
I glanced down. I already knew that. And the thought of it alone, of Calder . . . hardened, sent a bolt of electricity between my legs. I swallowed.
"He will then want you to touch him, with your hand, and with your mouth." The last word came out as a squeak and my eyes widened. "My mouth?" I whispered, incredulous. Calder had used his mouth on me, but I was expected to use my mouth on him, too? "What do I do with it?" I asked.