The ironic part of the whole thing was that he seemed to be completely over her now that her ovulation had passed. It was a good thing, of course. He didn’t look at her like he had done before. He hadn’t tried to proposition her again either. Macy was glad about all of those things. If they had both been attracted to one another, it would have complicated matters. They had to stay away from complications. It was the last thing they needed.
The Amazon woman wanted her pregnant by him, so being attracted to Sand was a ginormous complication. Good thing he hadn’t seemed to notice. Thank god…and she really needed to keep it that way.
He pulled on a pair of silk boxers. They hung ‘just so’ on him. His ass was almost better showcased in the shiny material than when he was naked. It clung to him…everywhere. He lifted his arms, stretching. She knew this routine. A couple of stretches and then he’d start working out. “You’re still going to exercise?” she asked. “At a time like this. You’re running on empty.”
Sand nodded. “Yep.” He began jogging on the spot, stopping to stretch his quads or his lats. Then he did some squats.
“Don’t you need to conserve energy?”
He shook his head. “On the contrary. I’m buzzing with it. I’ll go crazy if I don’t move.”
“Suit yourself.” Macy did what she normally did every day when he worked out. She grabbed a magazine. Macy had found them inside the last food bag that was dropped off on the first day. How nice of the Amazon woman to have brought a couple of them. Especially since food would have served them so much better.
This was her making the most of a shitty situation. She positioned herself on the sofa, pillow at her back. Macy opened the dogeared magazine, pretending to read. She didn’t have a clue what was between the pages. Not a cooking clue. It was riveting stuff, nonetheless. At least, she pretended it was. By now Sand was doing push-ups. She’d never seen anyone do them so well before. His body was completely straight from his heel to his head, and perfectly parallel from the ground. Up…down…up…down. So rhythmic. His biceps popped. He kept going…and going…and going. First using both arms and then using one.
One.
Lord help her. He put the other arm behind his back. Up…down…up…down. His breathing turned slightly ragged when he swapped arms. He just swapped by pushing himself up a little higher. No need to stop or anything. Sand put his other arm behind his back and carried on going like nothing had changed. It was mesmerizing. She tried to act all nonchalant and was sure she was failing dismally. Magazine. What magazine? She either paged too quickly from the start to the finish ‒ all the while looking at him ‒ or sat there like a statue, book in hand. Good thing he seemed too busy to notice. Sand gave a soft grunt as he moved to a sitting position. There was a light sheen of sweat covering his body. His face was slightly flushed. His muscles had muscles.
Shit! She quickly turned the page, realizing that it had been a while since she had pretended to read the magazine. Macy forced herself to glance down but soon found herself lifting her gaze.
Sand had lain down on his back. Legs apart and bent at the knee. Feet flat on the ground. He put his hands behind his head and started doing sit-ups. He went almost to the ground and back up. Up and down he went. The guy had some stamina, that was for sure. Then he did them by pulling his knees up, opposite to opposite. His abs went nuts. Her eyes almost fell out of her head. This was followed by squats, lunges and more stretches. He bent over and grabbed his ankles. He leaned against the wall. Watching him work out and stretch like that was her only highlight of the day, hands down! Although she’d kill for food. That would be a highlight too. This was almost as good. If she wasn’t starving, it would have been better. That was saying something.
She turned the page of her magazine, not even pretending to read anymore. Not really.
“You sure you don’t want to join in?” he asked, making her heart stop for a second or two. Sand didn’t look up though.
“Um…I…well…” she stammered. Maybe he paid more attention than she realized.
“You seem quite interested, that’s all.” He took up another stretch position, still not looking over at her.
“It’s quite something to watch.” She worked at pulling herself together. “You have s-so much stamina. You’re so strong as well. Those one-armed push-ups are…well…you’re definitely…most certainly…um…superhuman.”
“I could give you some pointers.” He looked her way. “Not right now, of course, you should preserve your strength.”
“Yes, sure thing.” Did he think she needed to exercise? Probably. “If the Feral lets you stay and she brings us some food, you can…help me work out, for sure.”
“You’re on then.” He flashed her a grin before starting a set of burpees.
This time she did look at the magazine, even though she burned to watch Sand, she kept her eyes on the book still not reading a word. He didn’t act like he had noticed that she was checking him out…but had he noticed? Her cheeks burned when she realized he probably had.
Chapter 11
The next day…
Macy grabbed Sand’s hand, holding it tight. “It’ll be okay,” he said, nodding once. “I can scent food.” He smiled at her and squeezed softly. “That’s positive.”
Macy nodded once, feeling sick to her stomach, and it had nothing to do with the organ being completely empty. “I guess so.” Not if she was going to be forced into a meal for one.
“She’s also alone.” Sand smiled at her. She could see that he was tense from the lines around his mouth and by the way he clenched his jaw when he thought she wasn’t looking.
The nails scraping on the rocks of the ledge reminded her of nails on a chalkboard. They made Macy cringe.
“We can do this.” Sand squeezed her hand again. “I’m sure she’ll listen.”
The lock clicked open and the Feral woman entered. “Are you ready to leave, shifter?” she asked. The question made Macy’s heart sink. Part of her had been hoping there would be a delay. That she wouldn’t end up going through with it at all. Seemed like Macy was wrong.
“No.” Sand shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere,” he added. “You can leave me here. We’ve changed our minds.” He looked down at Macy, squeezing her hand.
The woman put the bag she was carrying down. “We can do this the easy way, or we can do it the hard way. The hard way would involve beating you until you become unconscious, so that I can transport you. Although, I think it would all be over with one blow. It would hurt,” she cocked her head, “so, I would suggest the easy way, which would entail a hug…same as I did with you, human.” The Feral looked over at her. “It wasn’t so bad, was it?” she asked Macy.
“You mean when you suffocated me until I passed out? Yeah, no, I didn’t like that much.”
“So dramatic. You should have allowed the dragon to rut you. All of your hardship would have been over by now.”
“You’re forgetting the part where I would be expected to grow children inside my body, give birth to them on my own,” her voice hitched, “and then hand them over to you like I don’t care. I would call that a hardship.”
“I discussed my requirements with several males of my kind, and they are eager to meet with you, human. Too eager. I don’t think you have any idea what hardship is. Whoever I pick will quickly point out your error in judgment.” She sighed. “I am already on the lookout for a suitable female to take your place when you are torn apart.”
Macy couldn’t help the sob that escaped her. She put a hand over her mouth.
“Stop this!” Sand took a step forward. “Or so help me…” He let go of her hand. His whole body bristled. Macy clutched his arm. She didn’t want him to do something that would get himself killed.
“Do not be a fool?” the Feral said to Sand before turning back to her. “Then again,” she said. “I think you are stronger than you seem, human. Perhaps you will survive the breeding. I hope so. I like you.”
Macy took bac
k his hand and squeezed. If he tried something now, he would be squashed like a bug. The Feral was expecting it. It seemed that she wanted him to try.
Her freaky yellow eyes moved to Sand. “What is it to be, shifter? Would you like a hug?”
“I don’t want to leave,” Sand growled the words. “Macy doesn’t want me to go either.”
“It’s getting tiresome saying the same thing over and over. What you want doesn’t concern me. Not in the least.” She paused, cocking her head to the side, her eyes lowering to where their hands were clutched. “I suggest you let the human go,” the Feral looked at her, “and that you move to a place of safety, human.”
“Don’t do this!” Macy pleaded. “Please.” Begging wouldn’t help, so she forced herself to stop. She had to give the Feral something concrete. “I will let him have sex with me now. I changed my mind. I swear it. I’ll let him…breed me.” She used the Amazon’s words.
“It’s true,” Sand tried. “Humans take time to get to know someone before they allow…rutting. They aren’t the same as non-humans.”
“And you have had some time to,” the Feral made a face, “bond? Is that what you are saying?”
“Yes!” she yelled. “That’s it exactly. You just expected me to hop into bed with him so soon after meeting him. I couldn’t. I am attracted to him though. Like you said before, he’s a good specimen. How could I not want him…in that way? I just had to get to know him and…bond.” Please let this be working!
“You know my feelings about the human,” Sand said, sounding completely calm. “I would rut her from here until next week,” he shrugged a shoulder, “but I couldn’t do it without her consent.”
It looked like the Feral woman was thinking it through. “I wish I could believe you.” She sighed heavily. “It would make my life easier. You say that you are now bonded and enjoy each other’s appearances?” She looked from Sand to Macy and back again, scrutinizing them.
“Yes,” they both said in unison.
“So much so that you wish to rut?” she asked, cocking her head in that weird birdlike way. Why did it feel like they were walking into a trap? Sand must have sensed it too because he didn’t answer either.
“You now suddenly give the male consent, human, is that correct?” she asked, looking at Macy.
“Yes, I do!” Macy nodded. “Give us one more chance.” What they were really wanting was time. Time meant potential opportunity, which meant potential escape. There was always hope that Sand’s people would find them, although he didn’t hold out too much hope of that happening. They had discussed it and he was sure they would think the hunters had them, which was a far more logical explanation than a crazy, baby-hungry bitch.
The Feral woman seemed to hold her breath for a while. A long while. Macy had to stop herself from squirming and fidgeting and begging. Don’t forget the begging. She wanted to do all those things. Sand held her hand tightly, almost trying to warn her against moving or saying anything. He seemed to be holding his breath as well.
“No,” the Feral finally said, her voice flat and without any emotion. “You would have rutted by now if you were going to do the deed. I do not believe your reasoning. It makes no sense.”
Sand stepped forward. “It’s true. We—”
The Feral put up her hand, silencing Sand. “I have heard enough and have made my decision. Now do the right thing and step away from the female. I am giving you one last chance to come willingly.”
“You can’t—” Sand let her hand go. He ducked down and rammed into the Feral’s stomach. She staggered back half a step. Half a measly step. Sand looked dazed from the impact. He pulled himself upright but lurched to the right, he shook his head as if to dispel dizziness.
The Feral woman stepped forward and slammed her fist into his face. Something crunched and he flew backward, colliding with the wall on the other side of the room. Plaster crumbled, exposing more silver bars. Sand fell down in a heap on the floor. Blood gushed from his nose.
“Stupid male.” The Feral shook her head, giving what looked like an eye-roll. Macy watched as she walked over to where he lay unconscious.
Macy could see Sand’s chest rise and fall. He would be fine. His nose was bleeding profusely and was sitting to the right instead of straight. Broken, for sure.
The Feral bent over, preparing to pick him up.
“Wait. I’m glad he can’t hear us anymore.” Why hadn’t she thought of this before? “I don’t want him to know what I’m about to say. I have a proposition for you.”
The Feral turned, she looked bored. “You have ten-seconds.” She folded her arms across her breasts.
Chapter 12
Sand groaned, putting his hands to his face. To his nose. “Thank fuck!” he groaned as he felt up and down the bridge. Hurt like a motherfucker.
“I straightened it,” Macy sounded panicked. “I hope that was okay? I wasn’t sure what to do. Straightening it seemed like the right thing. It looked terrible before…still does. All swollen and purple.”
Her eyes were wide. All four of them. He winced, closing his eyes. The motion hurt, so he groaned. He felt like a complete pussy. Put down by a female with one punch. Then again, said female was a Feral and she was strong and mean. “Am I still here?” he asked. “With you? Or am I concussed and imagining it?”
Macy laughed, sounding somewhat hysterical. “You are still here.” Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “I was so worried about you.”
“She’s gone?” He half expected to hear the Feral bitch’s voice just then.
“Yes, she is. She left a few minutes ago.”
“Wait a second.” He carefully opened his eyes, feeling somewhat better. He winced, touching the top of his head.
“That was stupid,” she chided him.
“I had to do something. I’m already healing. My headache should be gone in a little while.” It hurt like a bitch, but she didn’t need to know that.
“The swelling on your nose is already going down. Your healing capabilities are amazing.” Macy touched the side of his face, her eyes focused on his nose. He was thankful there was only one of her.
“How? Why…What happened? Why did she leave me here?”
“I had to make her a promise or two and I lied to her about something.” Macy bit down on her lip.
“Why are you so worried? Was it bad? What did you promise?”
“That’s the thing. I can live with the lying. I mean, you have to do what you have to do sometimes. It was the promises that were the issue. Although I didn’t promise promise. I kind of agreed more than promised, but still... We’re going to have to live up to her expectations now.” Her eyes were such a gorgeous blue. How could you not believe every word that came out of her mouth? No wonder the Feral had bought it all.
“What did you agree to?” He was almost too afraid to ask.
“It involves both of us. I should have discussed it with you first, but…” she made a face, “it’s not like I could pull you aside, at the time, or anything.”
“You had no choice, you had your back against a wall.”
“And you were unconscious and bleeding against one.”
“I’ve never been hit like that before.” He touched his nose again and winced. “She’s strong, hard as nails and—”
Macy laughed. “No need to explain. The Feral are strong. Even the females of the species. I’ve watched you work out. I know you’re strong too. You tried, and for that I’m grateful. She could have killed you.”
“I would do it again.” Macy was sweet to try to bolster his ego. It didn’t help. Seemed like his face and head weren’t the only things that were bruised. “I’m one of the strongest of my kind.” He felt stupid for saying it. Normally when people tried this hard…it wasn’t true. In his case, though…it was true. All of it. It was hard to believe, after his attempted attack was so easily thwarted, however.
“I know. Relax about it, I’m not judging.” She gripped her hands together so tightly her
knuckles turned white. Then she chewed on her lip.
Whatever she had promised must have been really bad. She looked like she was struggling with telling him. Agonizing over what she had said. “Just tell me,” he urged. “It can’t be that bad.”
“It is.” Her eyes looked huge on her face. Her skin was translucent it was so pale. “I said we would have sex,” she mumbled. “Tonight. She’s coming back tomorrow to make sure it happened, and if not, she’s taking you. There.” Her eyes finally met his. “I said it. I’m so sorry,” she gushed, looking distraught. “I would completely understand if you left tomorrow instead of…having sex with me. I know you’ll do your best to find me after you go. I know—”
Sand couldn’t help the laugh that burst out of him. “I’m sorry.” He put a hand up. “You’re making sex sound like a hardship. I would love to have sex with you.” Now she was the one who looked horrified. Maybe he should dial it back a notch or fifty. “What I meant to say was…I understand. I get it. If we have to fuck,” he shrugged, “then,” he shrugged again, “we’ll do what we have to do. That is…” Maybe her aversion was more for herself than him. “Unless you can’t go through with it. We could possibly come up with a plan B otherwise.”
“I can’t get pregnant now, can I?” She looked panicked.
“No.” He shook his head. “Not at all.”
“Okay.” She sucked in a deep breath, looking him straight on. “Then I think we should just do it. Make it quick and get it done. We can keep it clinical. In and out and…finished.”
“No can do.” Sand shook his head. “Ferals don’t have a good sense of smell. I would need to make you come…a lot.”
“What?” she squeaked.
“I would need to get a ton of my seed in you as well. We would need to do one hell of a good job. If we’re going to do this, we may as well do it right. That way, that bitch and her bad sense of smell won’t be able to take me away on a technicality. I want your system flooded with endorphins. There will be no showering.”
Slave Dragon: Earth Dragons Series: Book4 Page 8
