TIMELESS FIRE - CHAPTER 44

CHAPTER 44


The shopping trip was less stressful than she’d expected—at times, almost pleasant. At first, she’d been sullen, refusing to be drawn into his attempts at conversation. But as the day wore on, she relaxed, becoming used to his company. At lunch, she almost forgot to remember that he was the enemy.

By the time the evening came around, she was tired. He had bought her clothes, shoes, and cosmetics, while she tried to figure out his game. Why would a man she had forced into marriage be nice to her? He should be hating her or at least resenting her.

Dora finished making supper by the time they had finished shopping. Niki was too tired to be hungry, but knew he would insist she join him for dinner. The first thing she did when she got to the bedroom was kick off her shoes. Dora knocked on the door and announced dinner was to be served at seven. Niki had thirty minutes. Not even considering a change of clothes, she
lay across the bed for a nap. Another knock woke her up. Drugged with sleep, she entered the den area still barefoot and padded across to the table. Michael had still not arrived.

Dora served the food and disappeared discreetly into the kitchen. Niki sipped her tea, waiting for Michael—thinking it’d serve him right if she ate without him. She turned a couple of times in her in her seat and looked around. There was no sign of him. She waited another ten minutes and then began to serve her plate.

This was beyond rude. He had no right to keep her waiting while he took the nap she was missing. She picked up her fork and dug into the mashed potatoes with enthusiasm. When she heard the sound of the sliding glass door opening and closing, she ignored it. He didn’t deserve to be acknowledged. She kept chewing as his footsteps sounded increasingly nearer. She was poised to shovel up a second bite when she heard a swishing sound close beside her ear. Then, the world exploded—and turned black.