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I’d never dated a woman who asked me these questions. Most of the conversations I’d shared before were simple preferences like where to go for dinner and what parties or medical conferences I had to attend. None of those women ever asked mewhyI had this hobby.

Hobby was an interesting word. It was defined as something a person did for fun.

Before I knew it, words flowed out of me. “I can connect to myself . . . and to my heritage. My parents were herbalists. When I work here, I can sense them. I think they’re proud of what I’ve done.”

When I cured a patient, their joy and gratitude made me forget all the ugliness in the world, and I could imagine my parents nodding their heads in approval.

Her eyes warmed as she wrapped her arms around me. “Of course, they’re proud of you. You’ve accomplished a lot, Forrest. I’m in awe of what you’ve achieved.I’mproud of you.”

Her embrace was fuel and fertilizer for my journey—my ambition, my vengeance.

I had no idea I needed this propellant—a nourishment that worked on a soul level.

You didn’t need anything until you met her.

That epiphany sparked in my chest, like a sacred meiosis cell division where one cell became two, and the two multiplied to more, creating new life. The profound feeling made me pause for a moment. I’d just discovered something serious about myself. Kiera was a new discovery under a microscope—finding her was finding myself.

“This is your dedication to them in your unique way,” she spoke into my chest.

I tightened my arms around her, inhaling her scent.How could she know so much about me?

Like WaterFyre Rising, the Ba7M5Bu88Project and the Holistic Farm were my ongoing ventures—all of them took time, dedication, and energy. Things worth having never came easy.

An innovative approach to medicine for the world and making it available to all at an affordable cost couldn’t happen overnight. For those who couldn’t afford it, there was a fund reserved to help them. Getting great healthcare shouldn’t have to be so costly. If there had been this kind of program, my dad would’ve survived, living happily with his family.

Kiera had reached into my soul, touching things no one ever could. I knew there was more to our relationship than just sex. But no complications meant no one had to get hurt. I had a vendetta to fulfill, and dragging her into my world meant dragging her into danger. What if I never made it back out?

“You’re so sexy and wise, Kitty K,” I said, trying to bring amusement to the conversation so I didn’t have to think about the ache in my heart.

Coward.

Ignoring the internal thought, I focused on the softness of her body against mine.

“And sometimes moody, irrational, and demanding,” she said. “But you’re smart for being right, farm boy.” A thought glittered in her eyes. “Oh, I have a riddle for you. It’s farm related, well, sort of.” Her smile showed excitement. “I read it in a magazine at a doctor’s office. Don’t ask me why I remember it.”

“Okay.” My eyes studied her every gesture.

“Why do cows have hooves and not feet?”

“I’m not that kind of farmer, and I don’t have farm animals. I’m more of a researcher.”

“Farmer. Farmer. Farmer.” She jabbed a finger into my chest. “Give up?”

I had no clue. “Yes.”

“Because theylactose.” She laughed; her shoulders shaking as though she’d been waiting for years to ask someone that stupid question. “You want another riddle?”

“No.” I couldn’t help but grin at her amusement.

“Why not? Thesteakstoo high for your intelligence, doctor?”

“What kind of magazine were you reading? More importantly, what doctor’s office were you visiting? A psychiatrist?”

“It’s a magazine for intelligent women,” she said with a sexy pout. “I was visiting a doctor of philosophy.”

That taunting mouth of hers needed to be punished with kisses. I wanted to see it wrapped around my throbbing cock. Maybe then I’d have stupid jokes to tell her.

She offered a wicked smirk that made me want to toss her onto the table and show her how irrational and demanding she made me feel.