Read CARNAL, The Beast Who Loved Me for Free Online

Carnal away at school?”
    Charming paused mid step to laugh. “Nothing like that. No. He’s on patrol right now.” He resumed descent, but stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “Smell that? We’re having elk stew with parsnips and onions. You’ll love it.”
    Rosie had to admit that it did smell good. The kitchen was square with a table and chairs in the middle of the room, but the first thing that attracted her eye was the wood stove and the precision cut stack of firewood next to it. The front panel had been left standing open to heat the room with coals left smoldering from cooking. She’d seen photos of antique stoves, but had never seen one in person.
    Charming’s parents had already filled their bowls and were waiting patiently.
    She sat down across from Charming and pulled in her chair just as he reached out and tore off a large chunk of brown bread from the dome-shaped loaf in the middle of the table. Next to it sat a pot of stew.
    “Go on. Help yourself,” said Charming with his mouth full.
    So she stood and ladled a medium-sized portion into her bowl, while Free carried on quiet conversation about livestock enclosures.
    After a few minutes, Charming said, “Why aren’t you eating?”
    Everyone stopped and looked at Rosie.
    “Well, it looks so good and smells even better,” she said, looking from one to the other. Serene smiled in response. “But to be honest, I’m worried about the sauce.” It was tomato-based. “These are the only clothes I have at the moment.”
    She blushed when they all looked at her thin white boyfriend shirt, but she blamed herself for calling attention to it.
    Serene rose from the table and retrieved an apron. She flicked it in front of Rosie and tied the top close to her neck.
    “There,” she said. “Tomorrow we’ll see about scrounging up some other clothes.” She looked at Free. “What was Kellareal thinking?”
    Rosie was grateful enough to begin warming to the idea of getting to know the family.
    Free shrugged. “Always got a lot on his mind I imagine.”
    “Thank you,” Rosie told Serene as she took a small bite from her largish spoon. “Oh my gods. This is incredible!”
    She hadn’t quite finished the first bite before that exclamation, which Serene took as an added compliment. She beamed, which in turn pleased Free. He turned to Rosie.
    “The large building next door is the Commons. Tomorrow morning, Charming will take you there and introduce you to the woman in charge. She’ll lay it out for you and get you started right.”
    “Okay. And thank you for having me.”
    Serene interjected. “We’re being sincere when we say you’re welcome here for as long as you’d like to stay. Kellareal must think very highly of you. If you’re special to him, you’re special to us.”
    Rosie nodded and returned the smile, not wanting to spout off about what a flaming pain he could be. She thought it better not to tarnish the rosy esteem in which he was held, especially since he was doing her a favor.
    “No reason to wait till tomorrow morning. I’m headed over there right now.” Charming was talking to Rosie. “Come and go with me. I’ll be the envy of Newland, arriving with a beautiful woman.”
    Free glanced at Rosie. “You want to go?”
    She hesitated. Charming pled with his eyes in such a cute way and she couldn’t think of a single reason to say no. “Maybe for just a little while.”
    Free then turned to Charming. “Make it clear that she’s a special guest of mine ,” he warned.
    “Sure, Pop.”
    “Charming, this is not a joke.”
    “I know.”
    “Can you be trusted to take care of Rosie?”
    When his father’s silent message sunk in, Charming grew instantly serious, transforming his looks so that he appeared older. “Yes.”
    Free nodded.
    “Let me get you a shawl.” Serene rose from the table and disappeared from view. When she returned a minute later she held out a shawl woven with muted fall colors in the softest wool Rosie had