The Saga Begins [Nuworld 1] by Lorie O'Clare Page A

arguing with a teenage girl who appeared to have brought groceries.
    “There you are, girl,” Hilda said, smiling when she saw Tara.
    Tara knew she must look rumpled and wondered if Hilda had correctly guessed what had occurred between her son and her new assistant.
    She turned away from the older woman’s speculative gaze and nodded to the teenage girl. The girl didn’t nod back but curled her lip as she eyed Tara from head to toe. Tara felt her cheeks warm and slipped past them and hurried to the small room where she could wash her hands and face and brush her hair.
    Torgo appeared to be glad to see her, too. He reminded her she’d said she would spend time with him.
    Tara gave the boy a hug and promised she would do so as soon as his mama permitted.

Chapter Five
     
    Hilda insisted Tara was in their home to help with the household chores and not to be a playmate for Torgo. It took many days to convince her, but finally she consented to the two spending time together.
    Tara knew Hilda didn’t understand why she’d want to spend time playing with the boy when she could be inside baking and catching up on local gossip. It seemed to Tara that was all Gothman women did for entertainment. But she craved being outside. She felt too confined inside the large house, even with its many windows and high ceilings. Tara knew she had to be careful not to arouse suspicion in Hilda, but the woman seemed content with the knowledge that Tara had grown up with just a Papa and brothers, and so therefore had spent time outside playing the boy games as a younger girl.
    Darius wouldn’t be as easily fooled however.
    Tara was relieved and frustrated that Darius didn’t spend much time at the house. She ached to see him more, to touch him, and to experience his touch again. But the leader of Gothman appeared to be so busy that he was awake and gone often before sunrise, and seldom returned before late in the evening. Many nights Tara, after she had supposedly retired for the day, sat in her bedroom with the door open so she could hear when he came home. Then she would strain to hear what he did until he finally went to bed.
    The man appeared preoccupied with the affairs of Gothman. Tara itched to know what politics distracted him, but knew no Gothman woman would think of asking the lord about his business. She wanted to join him in his office, ask him about his day, and exchange stories. She wished she could share experiences with him and learn more about how the man ticked. But to attempt to do any of that would spread suspicion. And that was something she couldn’t do. As much as she ached to let Darius know her better, she knew that would be a fool’s mission. So she sat alone in the dark of her bedroom every night, and wondered what Darius thought of her, and when he would seek her out next.
    Tonight she had fallen asleep before he’d come home. Her eyes fluttered open at the sound of his boots on the stairs while he ascended them. Slow and steady, her heart raced with anticipation that he might be coming to her. With every breath, her breasts swelled, pressing against the covers while she listened to him move down the hallway.
    A door opened, but didn’t close. He had gone to his own room.
    She ran her hands down her body, imagining Lord Darius touching her. A fever burned inside her, an ache for him grew with every moment that she lay in the dark, straining to hear what he might be doing. Her frustration peaked when his door finally closed, the house growing quiet once again. Embers smoldered while a fever she couldn’t control made her insides throb for a man she knew she could never truly have.

* * * * *
    “What will we do today?” Torgo asked, as he sat on the stool in the kitchen watching Tara clean breakfast dishes.
    “Well now, I will have to check with your mama and see if there are any extra chores she has in mind for me. I have to earn my keep, you know.” She smiled at his forlorn look.
    “Mama will have you