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Payim wasn’t really the nervous or anxious type. He was definitely a manly man, a true warrior from the tales he’d shared. Although, it was apparent he didn’t relish the hike back through the gauntlet, his grip on her hand tightening.

“The mud should also help,” she encouraged, taking another step forward, her hand gently tugging his.

Payim was unmoving and unimpressed by her assurances even though they’d emerged unscathed last time.

“I promise…” she started to reassure him.

Abruptly, Payim’s large hands wrapped around her waist, and he swung her into his arms and started running up the path.

“Payim!” she squealed in shock then quieted as they entered the towering colony.

He was fast even while carrying her and managed to pass the mounds before the swarm filled the air. She wanted to reprimand him for taking undue risk, but the way his big arms sheltered her, one large palm shielding her face, it was obvious he was more concerned for her than his own safety. That seemed to be Payim’s nature, selfless and heroic.

I am truly lucky you found me.

“Thank you,” she said as he ducked into her cave.

Payim nodded, heading deeper into the cavern before setting her down. She flicked on the light and looked him over for bites.

“I’m unscathed. What about you?”

As he panned slowly down her body looking for stings, his jet-black gaze was so intense and probing that she felt practically naked. He was way too gorgeous to be looking at her that way.

“I’m good.” She shivered then bit her lip and turned away.

Being around Payim was becoming increasingly difficult. She wanted to climb him like a tree and the urge was growing by the moment.

God help me.

She grabbed the bag of fruit and roots off the cave floor, dumped it on her work table and located one of the bruised apples.

“I think those may be bad.” Payim’s hand stopped her as she was about to take a bite of the fruit she collected from the ground.

“Is this what I gave you?” Her eyes widened.

“It tasted a little off.” He nodded.

“They are,” she snorted and took a bite. “They ferment quickly after falling off the plant.” She covered her mouth as she chewed, needing to take the edge off of her current mood.

Although I’ll need to get pass-out drunk if I’m going to fall asleep near him and not get all grabby, she lamented.

Payim’s brow rose and he picked up one of the bruised apples then took a bite.

“Ah. I taste it now,” he said with a nod in between bites. “How did you discover this?”

“Sidi did. We spent a lot of time learning what was edible in our first months here.” She pointed to the Miran Sona analyzer in the corner. “I can’t really read what it says when I stick plants in it, but Sidi taught me what symbol meant safe.”

“So, you’re trying to get intoxicated. Was my run up the mountain that harrowing?” He cocked his head to the side, his long dark hair falling in his face.

“Everything about you is harrowing. Have you seen you? You are huge, man!” she teased him.

Especially one part of you in particular,she added silently.

“Perhaps it is you that is small. At first, I thought you were a youth,” he countered.

“I’m definitely immature,” she snorted. “We should probably clean up.”

Although nothing will scrub my thoughts clean.