Page 14

Payim quo Desero

It’s a good thing Cadi Warriors can hold their water, Payim mused as he attempted to rest.I don’t want to know what she would’ve done if I’d said yes.

He’d feared Elena would leave him tied up and attempt to help him. That would’ve been disastrous. Instead of relieving himself, he would’ve ended up with another raging erection.

Maybe she would’ve released me.

With the way she’d cooked the amazing meal, smiled, and chatted, Elena seemed to be getting more at ease with him. Undoubtedly, he could’ve broken free by now, but the last thing he wanted to do was traumatize the little female. It would be better for her to do it.

Tomorrow definitely.

He needed to see how bad the cruiser was.

Scala is probably losing his shell.He hated the thought of his Osivoire comrade worrying.

That was another thing. If he frightened Elena, how would she react to seeing one of the Osivoire?

The only thing she knows about foreign races is that they abduct people,he reminded himself.

It angered him that Elena had been cruelly ripped from her life and dropped into this living terror. His chest ached and he struggled to repress the snarl forming in his throat. Payim’s brow furrowed, confused by the depth of his emotion. He felt bad for all his human friends who’d been abducted, and yet for some reason, Elena’s plight made him feel physical pain. Maybe it was because he was seeing firsthand how much she’d suffered. Or maybe it was because she was such an amazing female. The fact that she healed and fed him, in spite of her reticence, spoke volumes about her character.

Payim pictured her stunning smile and again his breath caught in his throat.

And her scent. Why does she smell so delicious?He pulled in a deep breath, taking in the arresting perfume that filled the cave.

You’re attracted to her.

That was obvious. But he’d been attracted to females before. They’d smelled good but nothing like Elena. And when she touched him, it was like being touched for the first time. Even now his inner beast wanted to mount her.

Well, you’re going to leave her alone,he rebuked his inner beast.

For so many reasons, Elena was an enigma. He sighed as he opened his eyes and looked over at her. A frown immediately twisted his face, seeing her shaking. He’d been so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn’t noticed the temperature drop. Elena wasn’t joking about how cold it was at night.

Torment, she’s freezing!

He wanted to kick himself. The little female had given him her blankets, not realizing he’d be fine. There was no way he could watch her suffer. He gripped the thin rope binding his wrist and jerked, snapping it like it was no more than a thread. As much as he didn’t want to traumatize her, humans were delicate and she’d get sick like this.

Elena

Abruptly, she jerked awake as a pair of large hands grabbed her.

“No!” she screamed in horror, her limbs flailing.

At first, she thought the reptiles had found her, but then she realized it was Payim. Except that wasn’t any better. Betrayal rocked through her. He’d just been biding his time for her to go to sleep.

“Shhh, I won’t hurt you,” he said as he cradled her in his tattooed arms, pulling her against his massive chest.

Her heart beat rapidly and she blinked, trying to wake up and focus on his face. The first thing she noticed was how very warm he was. She instantly wanted to snuggle up against him, ignoring her better judgment. As he carried her to the sleeping nest, it occurred to her, she understood him. She glanced down at the little computer again strapped to his forearm, then her gaze shifted to the snapped paracord.

So stupid. He’s just been humoring you.Her brow furrowed at how easily Payim had broken free.

“We need to get you warmed up.”

His voice was still a deep raspy growl which was disconcerting by itself, more so up close where she could feel his chest vibrate against her, even though the translated words coming from his computer were benign. But what really had her reeling was the way he hunkered down in the nest and curled around her, his humongous body caging her in.

“I’ll be okay,” she stammered, utterly disoriented, as she shifted to get free.

“No, Elena, you’re freezing,” he insisted, the arm around her waist tugging her close to his chest again.