The boat rocked gently as we finally docked back at the island. The salty breeze whipped my hair across my face, but I didn’t bother taming it. Instead, my mind was occupied with one single thought: Zed.
The man was infuriating—if he thought he could look down on me, then I’d show him. Show him just how much I could throw him off his carefully guarded composure.
As the villagers unloaded the baskets from the boat, Zed barked orders like he always did. His broad shoulders flexed beneath his shirt as he hefted crates with the men, his jaw set in concentration. I hated how easily my eyes trailed after him. I hated even more how he looked so good doing the most mundane things.
“Go on, help the old woman with the basket,” he called over his shoulder at me, his tone curt. “Don’t just stand th
