by Susan Hayes
“I should get dressed. Then I need to check on your injuries. I know you’ll heal on your own, but if I can get the splinters out and everything cleaned up, you’ll recover faster.” She gasped. “Hell, you’re hurt. You shouldn’t be carrying me! Put me down, right now.”
He shook his head. “No. Don’t want to.”
“You have to.”
That made him smile. “You are not the boss of me. And as much as I’m looking forward to playing nurse and wounded warrior, there’s something I want to show you, first.”
She looked around. “Trees, rocks… Oh, and over there, I see rocks and trees.”
“For the record, sassy and naked is even sexier than straight up sass.” He lifted her higher, ignoring the twinge in his shoulder. She was probably right about the splinters. He could feel them snagging on the fabric of his shirt, but they could wait a few more minutes. He’d chosen this place for a reason, and he wanted her to see it. He got his bearings, mentally realigning himself with the maps he’d seen of this area. He hadn’t been here before, but he’d spoken to a couple of local guides about the area while he was planning the week-long outings with the FUC agents. They’d all mentioned this spot. It was off the main trails and only known to a few locals, which was perfect, but he’d avoided bringing anyone here for the very reason they’d all recommended it to him. The last thing he wanted to do was bring the agents to their very own private hot spring.
It only took a few steps before he could smell he was headed in the right direction, and Tabi perked up the moment she caught a whiff of sulphur and other minerals. “Is that…” she trailed off as they both spotted a gleam of water through the trees.
“Your bath awaits, milady.”
Tabi uttered a soft squeal of delight. “Hot springs! This is why you didn’t tell me where we were going?”
“I didn’t want you to be disappointed if we had to keep going. I wasn’t sure how long it would take to lose them, but you did a hell of a job following my directions. Between the game trails where we hid your tracks among other animals and the stream we followed, I think we’re safe.”
She turned her head to check the position of the sun, but not before he caught the first glow of a pleased flush blooming on her cheeks. “We’ve got a couple of hours of daylight left. We can move on if we need to.”
“So we rest up, grab some food, and reassess an hour or so before sundown. Once it’s dark, we should be good until morning. If they were moving at night, they’d have caught up to us sooner. They followed us that first day and got the jump on us because we broke camp late.”
“You’re saying they got lucky?”
“I’m saying this is what I get for sticking to the safe routes.” It was six kinds of irony that if he’d taken the cadets into the riskier areas, they’d be in less trouble than they were now. Then again, he and Tabi were the only ones currently in danger. Annie and Danny could make the run in good time in their animal forms, and none of the mercs appeared to have gone after them.
“You couldn’t have known we were being tracked. None of this is your fault, it’s mine. If I hadn’t come along, you’d all have been fine.”
“I wouldn’t be out here if you hadn’t said yes.” The confession was past his lips before his filters detected the lapse.
“What do you mean?” She wriggled in his arms. “Dammit, put me down and answer the question.”
“I thought we already established that I wasn’t putting you down until you saw your surprise.” He was only a few steps away from the edge of the trees now and the breeze blowing past them was as warm as a spring afternoon.
“Stubborn tiger.”
“Yep.”
“But this is still my fault. If I hadn’t come on this trip, you wouldn’t be hurt. We’d all be safe right now.”
He stopped walking and raised her until they were eye-to-eye. “They were waiting for you to leave the grounds, Tabi. Watching for who knows how long. If you hadn’t left with me, they’d have grabbed you the next time you drove out those gates.”
She paled. “I haven’t left the academy grounds in ages. I gave up my apartment and put my things in storage right after the kidnapping. Can you imagine what would happen if I lost my temper and shifted somewhere the public would see me? It would be a catastrophe for shifters everywhere.”
“And as much as it hurts my heart to know you’ve been stuck on the grounds all this time, I’m glad, too. It kept you safe.”
She trembled slightly and burrowed deeper into his embrace. “They’re never going to let me go, are they?”
“Between us, we’ve already put down half the team they sent. It’s clear they had no idea who they were hunting, or how dangerous you were. They’re a third rate crew operating on second-hand intel. Once FUC gets here, this will all be over fast.” He kissed the tip of her nose, carried her out of the woods and into a little slice of paradise.
Smooth rounded rocks lined the sides of the stream, and someone had used them to create a bathing pool about the size of a standard hot tub. The stones’ dark grey colour changed to an unearthly blue-green where the water touched them. Even from where he stood, he could see the soft undulation of the algae that clung to the rocks and gave the spring it’s odd colouring. Evergreens framed the little clearing, their trunks and branches twisted by the winds and somewhat stunted by the lack of rich soil.
Birds sang, the afternoon sun shone down with surprising strength, and for a moment, he let himself forget their dire circumstances and just enjoy the moment.
Tabi gestured to the spring. “This is lovely. How did you know it was here?”
“Several locals told me how to find this place, I just didn’t think I’d get a chance to see it.” He set her down gently, aware that as much as he’d like to walk straight into the water, that wasn’t a good idea given he was fully dressed. Plus, he hadn’t checked the temperature of the spring yet. He was banged up enough already, no need to risk boiling his favourite body parts. If the universe would cut him just a little slack, he might get to use those bits later.
She padded over to the water and crouched, holding her hand a few centimetres above the surface. “Warm, but not insanely hot. Do you think it’s safe?”
“Just don’t dunk your head.”
She shot him a confused look. “Why not?”
“Brain-eating amoebas.” He toed off his boots, more than ready to soak in the heat of the pool.
She leaned back from the water. “Tell me you’re kidding.”
“Nope. They go up your nose and into your brain. Keep your face above the water and you’ll be fine. And before you ask, the nose is the only access point you need to worry about.”
Tabi grimaced. “Ew. I’m starting to remember why I like living in a city. The only thing trying to kill you there are other people.”
“People are a problem everywhere. Which is why I like to be where there aren’t any.” He nodded to the water. “You’ve got to be chilly. Get in and warm up.”
“If something grabs me and pulls me under, you’re coming to save me, right?”
“Always.” And by Bast’s whiskers, he meant it.
She dipped a toe into the water and uttered a blissful sigh. He stood and watched as she eased herself carefully into the pool and then stretched out on her back, floating in the heated water. “The rocks are really slippery. Be careful.”
He shucked the rest of his clothes and hurried to join her. One thing running and hiding had going for it, it gave him more time alone with Tabi. Score one for the prey side of the food chain. Still, this lull may not last long, and he wanted to make the most of it. He had barely settled into the water before she floated over to him, her cheeks already flushed with heat.
She straddled his lap, which was about the best thing that had happened to him all day, and then she ruined the moment by running her fingers along the cluster of splinters still buried in his shoulder. His body had already pushed some of them out on its own, but the rest wer
e still stuck in and damned uncomfortable. “I need to remove these. They’ve got to be hurting you.”
“I can think of a few things that would distract me from any and all discomfort.” He rocked his hips, bumping his cock against her inner thigh. “Wanna help take my mind off my boo-boos?”
She flashed him a sexy little smile. “How about we do a little of both? You get a kiss for every one I remove.”
“Just a kiss?”
“Let me do them all without any more complaining, and I’ll sweeten the pot.” She tried to waggle her brows at him, but she was laughing too hard to get it right. It was the sweetest, sexiest thing he’d ever seen. He drew her in for a kiss that burned hotter than the volcanically heated water they were bathing in, and something deep inside clicked into place. There was no fanfare, no explosion of fireworks, but at that moment, he knew.
She was the one.
No doubts. No questions. She was his, and by Bast’s fluffy fucking tail, he would die before he let anything happen to her.
His moment of revelation was cut short by a brief moment of pain, and he broke the kiss to glance down at his shoulder. The little minx had pulled out one of the splinters.
“Cheater.”
Her smile was as innocent as a newborn kitten’s. “It worked, didn’t it? And no complaining, or the deal is off.”
He pressed his lips together and winked. “Mhmm.”
“Good kitty.” She finished quickly, her fingers deft but gentle. She smoothed a wet hand over the injured area when she was finished and bowed her head to dust several tender kisses to the spot. “Boo-boos all better or will be soon.”
“I have got to say, naked nursing is a vast improvement over the usual kind. You’re hired.”
“Yeah?”
He slid a hand into her hair and pulled her in for another kiss before he did something stupid, like tell her he was planning on making it a lifetime contract. He’d save that bit of info for another day, one when they weren’t trying to avoid a lifetime spent as lab rats for some lunatic band of psychotic pseudo-scientists.
14
Tabi was more than happy to give in to the mind-melting attraction between them. She needed a distraction right now, so she didn’t think about the fact she’d hurt people today. Granted, they were assholes that were trying to hurt her, but she still didn’t feel good about it.
When Sergei kissed her, that all went away. The fear, the guilt, everything awful faded, and all that was left was a heady blend of joy, need, and ecstasy. It was all the more intense because she knew it couldn’t last. They’d get through this, and when they did, he’d be gone. All she’d have was the memory of these wild, wonderful moments.
The heat of the water was a balm, soothing her body even as Sergei’s touch did the same to her soul. Together, the effect was almost magical. His mouth claimed hers in an all-consuming kiss and she looped her arms around his neck, anchoring them together.
Strong hands gripped her hips, guiding her down until their bodies were pressed tighter from shoulder to groin. He shifted forward, and before she knew what he was up to, he had coaxed her legs to wrap around his hips.
“Here?” She asked, her voice so breathy and low she barely recognized it.
“Here is a lot warmer than out there.”
“Excellent point.” She wriggled against him. “And this way, you’re the one dealing with the rocks.”
“A sacrifice I’m more than happy to make.”
He moved to kiss her again, but she laid a hand on his cheek, stopping him. “I don’t want you to sacrifice anything for me. Just make the world go away for a little while, please?”
“Whatever you need, Tabi. It would be my honour to provide it.” There was something in his tone that sent a delicious thrill through her. She didn’t know what it was, but part of her reacted like she’d just been offered a triple whip mocha with three shots of espresso. “Then once this is over, I’d like a fudge sundae and coffee. Lots of coffee. In bed.”
“Do I get to be in this bed?”
“Will you have coffee?”
“Anything you want, sweetheart.”
“Then yes, you’re invited to join me in this theoretical bed.”
“Good.”
He slid his hand between their bodies and toyed with her clit as his tongue danced with hers. She ground herself against his calloused fingers, loving the way his rough skin added another layer of sensation to what was an already mind-blowing experience. Her mother had always told her to find a man who was good with his hands. Oh, how right she was about that.
Their lovemaking was more intimate this time. Face to face, limbs tangled, every sense was attuned to his presence. The rasp of his beard on her cheek, the woodsy scent that clung to his skin, the taste of his kisses, the feel of his hands on her body. True to his word, he made her forget about everything but him.
He took her to the peaks of pleasure, then sent her tumbling into an orgasm that tore through her with an intensity that stole her breath away in a low cry he muffled with a kiss. She was still caught up in the aftershocks when he lifted her a few inches higher, holding her there as he stared up into her eyes. “If you tell me to go get a condom, I will, but I don’t want there to be anything between us this time. The choice is yours.”
“Don’t go.” It wasn’t what she’d intended to say. ‘Take me tiger,’ would have been clearer and less loaded with things she had no business thinking, never mind putting into words. She froze and waited for his reaction. To her relief, all he did was grin and draw her down the crown of his cock. “How about I make us both come, instead?”
“Yes, please.” She didn’t wait for him to move. Instead, she flexed her legs, pulling them together, their bodies merging with a suddenness that made her gasp and him groan.
Her inner walls gripped him tight and his body arched beneath hers as he thrust deep.
“Mine.” He growled the single word so softly she couldn’t be sure she’d heard it at all. After that, neither of them spoke again. There was no need. Every touch was a promise, every kiss filled with passion. Need flowed between them, fueling every thrust and counter, the two of them in perfect synch.
When he threw back his head, she muffled her cries against his neck, her nails raking the tops of his shoulders as her control slipped away a little at a time, pushing her closer to her breaking point.
He whispered her name, his lips brushing her ear, and left a trail of butterfly kisses down the side of her throat. His cock thickened and jerked inside her, and then, he bit her. The pain was minor, but it blended with her pleasure, triggering a release that unfurled with slow, exquisite perfection. Another thrust and he was emptying himself inside her, his groans muffled against her skin.
She slumped against him, as limp as an overcooked noodle and he cradled her against him as their heartbeats slowed and the details of the world outside the two of them gradually returned.
“You bit me. I didn’t know I liked that,” she whispered.
“No, sweetheart, I marked you. And I liked it, too.” His voice was soft, but the effect of his words hit her like a shout.
“Haha, funny. Marking is for mates. Not to mention, it’s sort of barbaric.”
He nuzzled the tender spot on her throat. “And you liked it.”
“But we’re not…” she lifted her head so she could see him. “Are we?”
He raised his head, and there was no mistaking the primal gleam in his ice-blue eyes. “Did you miss the part where I said you were mine?”
“Saying something doesn’t make it true. If it did, politicians would be changing reality every thirty seconds.”
His eyes crinkled with silent laughter. “This is true.”
“And this is not the Dark Ages. You don’t go around biting girls just because you like them.” Not that she didn’t like the idea of having something serious with Sergei. Manes and tails, she was all for it, but consent was a thing, and communication was clearly not one of his strengths.<
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“You said you liked it.” His eyes darkened and a muscle in his jaw ticked.
“I did. But you still should have asked, first.”
He grunted in male frustration but didn’t actually say anything. Hurt and confused, Tabi retreated, moving out of his lap to drift to another part of the pool. “So, now what do we do?” She didn’t know if she was asking about their relationship, the fact they were still being hunted, or both.
Sergei rose out of the water, and she got a look at his injured hip. It was healing fast, which was good to see. “Now, I take a quick look around and make sure we’re alone. If we’re in the clear, then we can set up here for the night. The rendezvous point is far enough away we’ll need to get started two hours before daybreak to get there on time. It’s not going to be an easy run, but we’ll make it.”
He gave her a ghost of a smile and she thought she saw a flicker of approval in his eyes, but both were gone a bare second later. “Gather up our gear and stay out of sight until I get back.”
She didn’t even have time to answer before he shifted and bounded off, leaving her alone in the spring.
She huffed. “Wait until I do up my report on you, Sergei Molotov. Good leader, but lacks communication skills and does not share plans with others. Also, he’s sexist, speciest, and… and… Argh!” She hit the water hard enough to send a spray arcing onto the shore. She made her way out of the pool with care, then stomped across the rocks to Sergei’s clothes. “In the middle of nowhere, on the run, and somehow I am still picking up after a man. What the fuck is wrong with me?”
She leaned down, already shivering, and a new plan came to mind. Why carry his clothes when she could wear them? She pulled on the loose-fitting sweat pants and shirt, tying knots in both to improve their fit. Then she stepped into his too-big shoes and made her way back to their gear, thankful she didn’t have to do it barefoot.
She gathered up their things and brought it all back to the spring. It was warmer there, and the spring was shielded from view by the trees. She changed into her own clothes and settled under one of the larger pines. Her senses hummed as she tried to sort through every sight, sound, and scent, searching for any trace of Sergei or the assholes hunting them.
