Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

It was pleasant. But it didn’t do things to her body the same way Jardin’s did.

Or Carrick’s had.

How could she find both of them so attractive? They were so different. One big and rough-looking but with a surprising sense of humor. The other refined and cold. With a sharp bite.

“It’s not so bad,” she said, peering down at her salad.

“Darlin’, it’s a few leaves of lettuce and carrots. Rabbit food. You need some real food. I’ll get you some pizza.”

“Pizza. I remember pizza,” she replied wistfully.

“Sounds like you’re in mourning, darlin’.”

“I miss carbs. But they’re not my friend. They go straight to my ass.”

He peered down at her bottom. “Nothing wrong with your ass as far as I can see. You on some weird diet?”

“I wouldn’t call it weird. But yeah, I’m not eating carbs.”

“Why the fuck would you want to do that?” he asked incredulously.

“Um, to lose some weight.” Isn’t that why most people went on a diet? “Got to get rid of this fat ass somehow.”

“If you were mine, I wouldn’t let you diet or talk bad about yourself.”

“Do you have a girlfriend?” she asked.

“Nope. I’m too young and hot to settle down.”

She rolled her eyes, pretty sure he was older than her. “Uh-huh, well, let me give you a tip, women don’t like being told what they can and can’t do. That shit went out of fashion a long time ago.”

He leaned back, sprawling on the stairs. It should have been uncomfortable, but he looked completely relaxed. He tilted his hat back and stared up at her with eyes that were piercing. Serious. They were eyes that saw too much.

She resisted the urge to shift around in discomfort.

“Did it? Where I come from, men look after their women. They put them first. Protect them. Care for them. And they also ensure their women know there are consequences for breaking the rules. For putting their health and safety in danger.”

“Consequences?” Shit. Why do I sound so breathless?

“Uh-huh.”

“Like what? They beat them?”

“Hell no. Any man who touched a woman like that would be run the fuck out of town, after being beaten soundly. We don’t take kindly to anyone hurting women and children. All the women are protected by every man in Haven. It’s a safe place.”

Was he for real? Or was he making this stuff up?

“Every woman in town has a male guardian. Someone who watches out for her. Usually her husband, boyfriend, a male family member. The sheriff fills in if they don’t have that. And every woman has rules to help keep her safe and happy and healthy. And if she breaks those rules, she gets punished. Now, if the sheriff is your guardian your punishment won’t be the same as if your guardian is your husband.”

“What would the sheriff do?” she asked curiously. This all sounded so bizarre.

“Dunno. Depends on what you did. He might give you a firm scolding.”

All right. Didn’t sound so bad.

“Aren’t you gonna ask what a husband might do? Want to know what Alec would do if Mia put herself in danger?”

There was a note to his voice that told her she really didn’t want to know. Yet, she knew she was going to ask.