Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“I haven’t been looking,” she says, and sidles up to me. “I have a question for you, instead.”
I frown as I look over at her. A question? “What is it?”
The look on her face is wary, her hands clasped behind her back. “My sister is mated to your friend, Rokan. How does that make you feel?”
I narrow my eyes at her and then move to pick up the smallest spear in the supplies. It is light and fragile, and yet I still suspect it will be too heavy for Mah-dee. “Why does it matter?”
“Let’s just say it matters to me, all right?”
“Because we cannot be friends if I hold feelings for your sister? Is this why you ask?” I am not a fool.
She shrugs.
I pick up the spear, testing its heft. Light, but balanced. I hold it out to her. “Try this.”
Mah-dee takes it from me and then gives me another pointed stare. “Well?”
I sigh, because I know she will not give up on this. More, it is a topic I am not keen to discuss. Just thinking about it feels as if I have to peel back a layer of skin and expose myself. “I…it is complicated.”
“I’ve got time to listen.”
I grunt and watch as she grips the spear. Her hands are small along the much thicker shaft. Perhaps spears are a bad idea and I should make her more arrows. Yet she was not skilled with the bow. “I am glad for Li-lah and Rokan.”
“You are?”
I nod. “Rokan is a good hunter. He deserves a mate. He is happy with her. Thus, I am glad for them.”
“That’s a total cop-out of an answer.” She pokes at me with the spear, stepping closer. “How do you really feel? You kidnapped my sister because you wanted her to be your bride. Don’t tell me you don’t feel anything.”
“Oh, I feel things.” I feel a great many things.
“Well?” She jabs me again, the spearhead dragging against my arm and leaving a scratch.
I grab at it and glare at her. “You wish to know how I feel? I am angry.”
Her eyes go wide. “Go on.”
“I am angry that I am a strong, capable male and yet my khui is silent. I am ashamed that I broke the rules of my tribe and stole a female that hated me and did nothing but cry every time I looked at her. I am sad that I am no longer welcome. I am disappointed that I risked all and gained nothing. And yet…I am happy for Rokan. And I am…” I let the words trail off, because I remember that Mah-dee is Li-lah’s sister.
“You are what?” she prompts. “Spit it out.”
“I am…glad that Li-lah is not my female.” The words taste like grit in my mouth, but even as I say them, they are curiously freeing. “She and I…we were not a good match. I thought perhaps I would get used to her, that we would grow into each other, but…we did not, and I am glad for it. And then I am even more angry that I broke the rules of the tribe for her.” I flick the spearhead away from my skin. “Does that satisfy you?”
For some reason, Mah-dee smiles brilliantly. “Actually, yes.”
I grunt. There is no understanding females sometimes. “Then I am glad my pain pleases you.”
“It’s not that I want you to be in pain,” she says, and puts the spear aside. “It’s just…well.” She considers me. “It makes things easier on my end.”
I frown in her direction and turn back to the spears, searching for an even lighter weapon. Perhaps the one I handed her does not feel right and she needs a different one. “Easier for what?”
Her hand goes to my arm. “For me to do something for myself.”
Mah-dee is not making sense. I glance over at her. “Eh?”
She stretches and grabs my vest, tugging me forward. There’s a naughty smile on her face and a gleam in her eyes that makes my cock respond. I stiffen, because her touch should not be arousing. I am here to teach her, no more. When I pull back, Mah-dee pouts, her full lower lip thrusting out in a way that fascinates me. “Why are you leaning away?”
“I am trying to understand what you are doing.”
She gives a little shrug and stands up on her toes, trying to move closer. “Maybe I want to kiss you.”
“Eh? Why?” I am not entirely certain I have heard her correctly.
She licks her lips and I am suddenly fascinated by the way they gleam, shiny and pink. “Because I thought we might fool around a little.”
“Fool around?” I do not understand these words together.
Mah-dee sighs. “I guess I need to show you.” Her hand slides down my front, caressing my chest, and I freeze in place. Her fingertips trailing down my chest ridges and then tickling over my navel feel…incredible. My cock aches, hardening immediately. I remain still as her hand skims down even further.