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Page 4 of His Fierce Fugitive (Earthly Possessions #2)

4

TAK

A s the suns sets, we seek shelter in a mossy cave, a temporary haven from the dangers of the night. Iris made me reassure her that this cave was not inhabited by a mutant beast before I built a small fire for heat and protection.

We eat more protein cubes, and some ripe jnera fruit I found growing near a fallen tree. It’s a welcome treat after that gruel from Lyrica.

“I’m so full,” Iris says, with a yawn and a hand on her belly. “That fruit is delicious. It tastes like a honeydew melon crossed with a peach back on Earth.”

“I’m glad you liked it,” I reply, then hand her a hydration pack. “Drink this.”

She turns over the capsule to inspect it.

“It dissolves when you put it in your mouth,” I say, putting one in my own mouth.

She watches me intently, and I suspect she’s not terribly interested in the pack, but the movements of my mouth.

I try not to blush.

I fish around for the mouth beads and hold one up. “These clean your teeth and freshen your breath.”

“Oh my god, yes,” she groans, opening her palm. “My mouth feels disgusting. I can’t remember the last time I brushed my teeth.”

I dump one into her hand and she eagerly pops it in her mouth.

She sighs. “It’s the little things that seem like luxuries sometimes, ya know?” She closes her eyes and lets the bead go to work.

I chuckle. “I do.”

The fire's crackle fills the cave, and I find myself transfixed by this woman. The dance of the flames illuminates her exquisite features—the high cheekbones, the delicate eyelashes, and her lips, so full and dewy.

Gwen had shown me images of Iris on the device she called her phone. But they don’t do her justice. She’s striking—the most beautiful being I’ve ever seen—and not just physically. She's a storm of emotion, a vibrant combination of determination and vulnerability, and I'm drawn to her like nothing I’ve ever known.

When we traveled along the jungle path, I watched her with a quiet fascination as she took in the world around her. Her keen eyes noticed details I'd missed, and her questions about the alien flora and fauna kept me on my toes.

She’s fearless, marching through the underbrush, her lithe body gracefully avoiding the hazards as she follows my lead. Yet, underneath her strong exterior, there’s a fragility that calls to my protective instincts. I long to shield her from the darkness of her past, to show her that not all bonds bring pain.

The night's chill seeps into our shelter, and Iris shivers. She shifts closer to the fire, but due to the size of the cave, I couldn’t make it too big for fear of smoking us out.

“You’re cold," I say. “Allow me to hold you to keep you warm.”

She rubs her arms, considering me. “Just holding. Nothing else, right?”

“I have no intention of doing anything against your will, Iris.”

She swallows and crawls over to me, sitting in my lap and curling into my arms. I pull her close. She stiffens briefly, then slowly her body relaxes against mine. Maybe this was a mistake. The feel of her soft golden hair on my cheek and her steady breath on my neck send a shudder through me. I want to kiss her temple, but I hold back, reminding myself that her comfort comes first.

“Tell me about Gwen and Ryz,” she whispers, as she rests her head on my shoulder.

“She’s a fiery one,” I start. “Now Ryz won’t like that I’m telling you this, but when they first met, Gwen put up quite the fight. Before she knew Ryz meant her no harm, she brought him down with a kick to the groin, and then a knee to his face.”

Iris chuckles. “That’s my girl!”

I then relay the story of how Gwen was captured by the Ocrevv, including her heroism as she jumped in front of a laser meant for Ryz.

“Oh my god! And she’s okay?” Iris looks up at me, her blue-gray eyes shining.

“She’s fine now. But it was uncertain there for a while. Luckily, the King has some amazing physicians.”

She lays back down on my shoulder and puts a hand to her heart. “Phew. You scared me for a moment.”

“I’m sorry, my m—” I begin, then rein myself in. “Iris.”

We sit like that, our bodies intertwined for warmth and comfort, for a long while. She asks me about Ydris and I tell her stories of my youth, and my time as a tracker. But soon, I feel her relax even more, her breath slowing, her body going limp in slumber.

I stay awake, my mind racing.

I'm acutely aware of every place her body touches mine, and I ache with an intense longing to claim her. I fight the temptation to stroke her hair or caress her cheek. My restraint nearly breaks me, but I hold fast to my commitment, to myself, and to her.

Earning her trust will take time.

Just as exhaustion finally claims me, she shifts closer, her head sliding down to my chest. I breathe in the sweet scent of her, like the jnera fruit we ate earlier, and she makes a sound that scrambles my brain.

"I...I don't know what this is," she whispers, her breath tickling my skin. "But with you, Tak, I feel...safe."

The words ‘my mate’ again are on the tip of my tongue, but I fear it's too soon, so I simply nod, my heart thundering in my chest. As I lie awake, holding her, I realize I'd do anything for this woman.

As the first rays of dewlight breach the cave's mouth, Iris stirs. Her eyes flutter open, and she smiles, a sight that could make even the most formidable warrior stumble.

Her hand reaches up to touch my face, her fingertips tracing my skin with gentle curiosity. Her other hand caresses my chest, her touch sending ripples of pleasure through me. I suppress a shudder, as she continues her gentle, tentative exploration, as if she's unsure of my response.

“Iris,” I whisper, closing my eyes.

Her hand slides behind my head and pulls me down…until I feel her soft lips brushing against my own.

My lips part on a quick inhale and she kisses my top lip, then the bottom one, slightly sucking them into her mouth.

I can’t help it, I groan long and deep. My heartbeat quickens, and I’m trembling from the storm of desire in my veins. With great restraint, I lean into the kiss, keeping it tender, wanting to respect her boundaries. Her lips are warm and yielding, and I savor the moment, drinking in the sweetness of her breath.

But when her hand fists in my hair, I growl with need.

Just as my restraint begins to crumble, a different kind of growl reverberates through the cave—menacing and deep—snapping us back to reality.

I move in front of Iris, as an enormous, four-legged beast with gleaming fur and dagger-like teeth emerges from the shadows, its beady red eyes fixed on us.