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In the dim light she could see his stern expression, his fangs peeking past his lips, and she froze, her whole body going rigid. Payim sighed, his grip loosening as his expression softened.

“Please, little warrior, I know you’re afraid of me, but I promise on all that is honorable, I’m not here to hurt you.”

The translated words helped, but it was the sincerity in his raspy voice that calmed her pounding heartbeat. He hadn’t hurt her. He could’ve throttled her while she slept if he wanted to, but didn’t.

And he’s so warm.Payim was like a furnace.

“Okay.” She hesitantly smiled up at him as he tucked the blankets around her, making sure her back wasn’t exposed.

Despite the small nagging part of her that worried she was being too trusting too fast, she swiftly found herself melting into him. Payim’s warmth, steady breathing and strong heartbeat lulled her, offering a comfort she hadn’t known in so long. His unbelievably strong arms wrapped around her answered another need—safety. These were dangerous feelings she shouldn’t get used to, and yet she couldn’t help it. For tonight, she’d let go of the worry and vigilance that had kept her alive on this hellish planet. For tonight, she’d pretend everything was okay.

FOUR

THE UNEXPECTED

Payim quo Desero

A delicate hand shifted over his heart, rousing him, and Payim smiled. He’d never slept, literally slept with a female, but there was something so soothing about listening to Elena’s soft, steady breaths as she slept curled up against his chest. He dozed then awoke and contentedly watched her, and dozed again.

Elena made a noise that sounded way too much like a moan as she shifted, her leg brushing against his shaft. His inner beast instantly bolted awake. He had been able to ignore her compelling scent up to this point, but as he tugged in a stunned breath, he was reminded of just how delicious she smelled. Her soft lips grazed his pectoral as she mumbled incoherently, and he squeezed his eyes shut, willing his shaft to behave. The innocent skittish creature trusted him enough to fall asleep in his arms. He refused to betray that trust.

He groaned as her fingers fluttered against his chest. Reflexively, he stroked her back, his hand drifting to the lush curve of her tailless bottom. He barely cupped one full cheek when he forced his hand to retreat, clenching his fist to keep it from returning to the soft swell. But the image of her shapely ass and thighs cushioning his hips as he thrust into her delectable body was already churning in his mind.

No!

His eyes flew open. He needed to get up. As he looked down at the beautiful creature to see the best way to extricate himself without disturbing her, his gaze landed on the curve of her neck.Conjugoserum spurted from his fangs, and his mouth parted on instinct, demanding he inject her with the mating hormone to test the bond.

“No,” he whispered in shock, his eyes widening farther.

Swiftly, he pulled away from Elena and retreated to the far side of the cave before he did something that couldn’t be undone. Yet even from this distance the demand to bite and claim her as his mate tugged at him.

Elena whimpered and shifted in the blankets, her tiny hands searching for him. His inner beast snarled, demanding he go to her. He wanted nothing more. He’d be lucky to have such a sweet, brave, ingenious female as his mate, but he was here to rescue her, not rut atop the innocent female, forcing her into a mating. She’d already been through enough.

I have to get out of here.He forced himself to leave the cave.

Elena

Oh, Elena whined in disappointment as she came around.No.Go back to sleep.

She’d been having the best dream featuring one sexy devil. A grin tipped her lips as she recalled it wasn’t all a dream. Payim was real and like some sort of chivalrous knight he’d picked her up, brought her to his bed and held her, keeping her warm throughout the night.

Elena opened her eyes, and her smile turned into a frown as she looked around the cave.

He’s gone.

Her breath sped up as dismay took hold.

“Payim?” she called, despair threading her voice as she stood, turning in circles just to be sure.

She knew things had been too good to be true.

“Scourge of perdition!” Payim sprinted into the cave, batting at the few wasps that followed him.

She was so relieved to see him, she instantly threw her arms around his waist. The man probably had to go relieve himself. She relaxed as she squeezed him tight, feeling foolish for being paranoid.

“Elena, don’t,” he growled, tugging away from her and taking several steps back.

Her throat tightened seeing his harsh expression and the way his jaw clenched. He’d been so kind last night that his reaction to her was a shock, that is until she remembered her behavior yesterday.