Page 140 of His Ruthless Match

Grelth blinked. He clearly hadn’t expected to win so easily. “Without your approval?”

“Yes, Grelth,” Jareth said with exaggerated patience. “Congratulations. You’re in charge of the food.”

A grin split Grelth’s face, and he broke into a bizarre little dance, his long limbs moving with unexpected grace. “Finally! Master Grelth reigns supreme in the kitchen!”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing as he twirled into the kitchen, humming triumphantly.

Jareth shook his head, muttering, “What have I done?”

Sliding into a chair across from him, I smirked. “You’ve created a monster, clearly.”

He shot me a look, though his lips twitched. “I can always revoke his reign of terror.”

I laughed, surprising myself with how natural and unhindered it sounded.

I satat my makeshift desk, wanting nothing more than to stare out at the ocean, but the spreadsheet on my laptop demanded my attention. My fingers flew over the keyboard as I typed.

When the door creaked open, I glanced up. Jareth strolled in, his hands buried deep in his pockets. He had an air about him that said he wasn’t here for anything specific but was curious enough to stick around.

He ambled closer and sank into the chair across from me, his movements fluid and relaxed, though his gaze remained fixed on my laptop screen.

“Can I help you with something?” I asked.

Jareth tilted his head slightly, still watching the laptop like it might grow legs and scuttle away. “I was thinking,” he started, his voice casual, “I’d really like to learn how to use one of those things. I mean, I’m fine with the phone, but I’ve never used that.” He nodded toward the laptop.

I frowned. “You mean the computer?”

“Yeah. A computer,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “Seems like it’d be useful.”

I stifled my grin. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

His eyebrows knit together, clearly affronted. “Why not?”

I tapped my finger against my chin. “Well, you have a bit of a… short temper. Technology requires patience. You know, that thing you don’t have.”

Challenge ignited in his eyes. “That’s not true!”

“You’re shouting,” I pointed out.

“I’m not shouting. I’m… enthusiastic.”

I shook my head as I laughed. “Fine. If you’re so enthusiastic, I’ll teach you. But no growling at the computer when it doesn’t do what you want.”

“Deal,” he said, his grin widening into something boyish and unexpectedly charming.

Swiveling the laptop toward him, I motioned for him to lean closer. “All right, let’s start with the basics. Do you know what the internet is?”

He gave me an exasperated look. “Yeah, of course. I have a phone.”

“And you use it for…?” I prompted, though I already had an idea of the answer.

“Calls and texts. I click on video links or article links when they get sent to me… and now Vivian’s warding app,” he replied, deadpan.

I stared at him, jaw slightly agape. “That’s it? You’ve never used the internet on your phone?”

“I’ve never needed to,” he said with a shrug. “What else is there?”

“Oh, Jareth.” I sighed dramatically, flopping a hand onto the desk. “You’ve been missing out.”