They stopped the wagon, and everyone got out. “Stay close to me,” said Draven. They all had weapons, sweeping the area as they moved in on the store. If they could find the stockpile of food, Draven would have no reason to leave the kingdom. They could be safe and focus on living life and loving each other.
She placed her hand over her lower stomach as they walked, wondering if she was growing a child at this moment. More than ever, it was essential they find what they were looking for.
Luke kicked open the back door in the store, Draven moved in and did a sweep.
“All clear.”
When they entered, the defeated look on his face told her everything. The room was ransacked, empty boxes and spilled bags of food strewn across the floor.
“Oh God,” Luanna whispered.
She held onto Draven, holding back tears. Ashley needed to be strong and not make Draven feel worse. “We can start the planting, prepare new fields,” she said.
“We need food now, baby, not next season.”
They left the room, dragging their feet.
“Let’s split up. There could be a few things left to scavenge,” said Luanna. “I’ll go with Luke and head east.”
“We’ll go west. Meet back at the wagon in twenty minutes. Fire a shot if there’s trouble,” Draven said.
They held hands as they walked up the sidewalk. It was surreal, everything frozen in time. Most of the people died from the virus. Of the remaining women, most were left infertile. Her thoughts scattered in so many directions. She wondered what became of the people who lived here. A tricycle lay in the dirt by the sidewalk, an eerie reminder of what used to be.
“If it wasn’t for the virus, I never would have met you,” she said. “I must be a monster for not wishing I could turn back time and ensure it was never unleashed.”
“You’re not a monster.”
“Can I tell you something?”
He stopped, leaning against the wall of a hardware store. Draven holstered his gun and held her waist. “What is it?”
She swallowed hard, determined not to cry. “This all feels like a nightmare I want to wake up from. The death, the shortages, the hate. It’s killing me from the inside out. Those books I read at home aren’t just entertainment, they’re my only escape.”
Draven cupped her face, and his eyes appeared glassy. “Tell me what to do. I’ll do anything for you, Ashley.”
“I just want to pretend. Even for one day. To forget everything and feel like a normal man and woman in love.”
Even in the kingdom, he was constantly protecting her and restricting her movements. She knew he was trying to keep her safe, scared to lose her. But it would be so nice to close her eyes and pretend there was nothing to hide from.
He glanced up and down the street, then opened the door to the hardware store. “We have twenty minutes, sweetheart. Time to start pretending.”
Draven hoisted her up on the low check-out counter, then tugged off his t-shirt. Her body immediately reacted as she raked her eyes over his hard-muscled frame.
“Are you sure about this?”
“You’re not the only one who needs an escape. I thought I’d never see you again when those men had us at gunpoint. I’ve never felt so desperate before. I have something to live for now, and I don’t want to lose that.”
She ran her fingers along the stubble on his cheek. “I love you,” she said.
“You’re my everything.” He lifted her shift off and unclasped her bra. “There’s a lingerie store in town. We’ll stop by before we leave, get everything you need.”
Her tits felt heavy, her nipples aching for stimulation.
Draven leaned over and suckled her breast. She closed her eyes and groaned. Ashley needed a release in the worst way. All the fear, tension, and stress had turned purely sexual.
“I love these tits.” He sandwiched his face between them. “Fucking perfect.”
He made all her insecurities disappear, made her feel like a queen.