Page 28 of Keeping Freya (Warriors of Arracate #3)

Freya

I knew it would be good, but I had no idea it would be mind-blowing. I hold on to T’Rak for dear life, afraid that if I don’t, life comes crashing down, and I have to think about what we did. I wanted it, there’s absolutely no doubt about that, but there’s gonna be repercussions.

T’Rak pushes a lock of my hair behind my ear. “Are you alright?”

Worry laces his tone, and I nuzzle his neck to take it away. “More than alright. I am perfect.”

“Was it good for you?” he hesitantly asks, and I chuckle.

“Very good.”

He pushes himself up, and I reluctantly let go.

The moment our bodies lose the connection, I feel a little bit awkward, and I don’t know what to do.

His face is a mixture of concern and utter adoration.

I feel my chest tighten. It’s as if there’s more to our connection than just some pre-destined bond. But that can’t be. I can’t let it be .

And what better way to shove away your feelings than with awkward aftercare? “We uhm… uh, there’s going to be a clean-up situation.”

T’Rak looks down, and when he shifts a bit, his softened cock slips out of me. Understanding dawns in his eyes, and he curses.

“It’s no big deal.”

He grunts something unintelligible and rushes over to his pack, only to come back with something resembling a towel.

“Thanks,” I mutter the words as I clean myself up a bit. “Is there some water nearby? And I should really find a place to pee.”

“Outside, to the right, but do not go far,” he warns me.

Shaking my head, I exit the tent. As if I’d go far without him. I may be many things, but too stupid to live isn’t one of them.

When I step outside, a fresh breeze hits me, and I am greeted by the songs of birds.

I clutch the towel against my body, my rumpled suit in my hands.

Pee first, cleanup second. Turning to the right, I find a nice bush to relieve myself behind.

Life feels so much better on an empty bladder.

The sound of running water draws me in. Still keeping my survival instincts intact, I call out for my big warrior. “T’Rak?”

“Fr’Ya?” he responds.

“I’m going to the water to clean up, is that okay?”

“Do not go in too deep. I will be there in a minute. Just running some scans.”

I take that as the all-clear sign and let my ears guide me towards my bath. The foliage is dense here, and I feel like a true Indiana Jones pushing through the Jungle—if only I wasn’t wearing a tiny towel and clutching a dirty jumpsuit to my chest.

The current of the water gets louder and louder, and after I push through a couple of lower bushes, lined with berries, I emerge onto a small beach.

In front of me is a narrow river lined with a sandy beach on my side and a rocky shore on the other.

Right across from where I’m standing is a small cove filled with big flat stones.

Those would be perfect to dry my clothes on.

T’Rak warned me not to go too deep, but it wouldn’t hurt if I waddled a bit, right? Explored the riverbank?

Before I go in, I look over my shoulder, but there is no sign of the big guy.

The berries on the bushes have me realize I’m pretty hungry.

They’re the same as the ones we had last night, before—wait a minute— T’Rak and I both ate those berries, and an hour later we were insatiable.

I am no expert, but this feels way too coincidental.

Deciding to forgo the berries, I dip my toe into the river. The current is flowing, but it’s not too strong, and the temperature is perfect as well. It’s a little bit on the cold side, but that would wake me up better than any cup of coffee.

When I’m knee-deep in the water, I hear bristling in the forest, and T’Rak emerges at the same spot I did.

He’s wearing his harness with his knives, and nothing else.

My mouth waters when I look at him, and I forget to hold on to the towel.

I don’t even move when I feel it drop; that’s how distracted I am by his gorgeous body on display for me—muscles upon muscles, resembling his immense strength.

I know I fell for his arms, but those thighs. Damn those thighs…

“The cloth!” he shouts, bringing me back to the present. With a blush, I bend to pick it up, and when I grab the wet thing, I see the same look I had moments earlier, reflected in T’Rak’s eyes.

I give him a little smirk. “Wanna come in and try the water?” He hesitates, so I try to lighten up the tension. “I think those stones over there would be great for drying our clothes on. Do you think it’s safe to cross the river?”

“Let me check,” he grumbles before he joins me in the river. I’m trying to ignore his nearness, but I am failing miserably. My nipples tighten, and I feel myself getting aroused. Judging from the state of his cock, he has similar problems.

He’s all business, though, as he grabs my hand and steadies me while we make our way across the river. I’m tall for a human girl, but when I start struggling, he just lifts me into his arms and crosses the deepest parts with me.

Wordlessly, we clean our suits and put them on the stones. Now that there’s nothing left to do but wait, I sink into the water and undo my braid—time to give my hair a good clean-up. T’Rak looks at me longingly, but he straightens his back, and his jaw is set as he looks around.

“We are vulnerable here, and I do not think we should stay for too long. Let me break down the tent and bring you some food. The suits will probably be wearable then, and we can continue looking for the High Commander.”

I nod. I would have liked a little break, but he’s right. We’re not here on vacation, we’re here to catch the bad guy. It doesn’t keep me from ogling his backside and sighing wistfully, though.

When my hair is freed from its confinements, I submerge myself in the water a couple of times.

No soap, so this will have to do for now.

I love the feeling of water against my skin, and even with the sonic showers, I haven’t felt this clean in ages.

I’m floating in the water, basking in the luxurious feeling, when a harsh noise breaks me out of this happy place.

Immediately, I’m on high alert and scan the woods, looking for rustling leaves, but I don’t see anything out of the ordinary.

I feel anxious all of a sudden and vulnerable.

The need to be closer to T’Rak, on the other side of the river, is driving me hard, and I move away from the riverbanks.

I freeze when I feel the current pulling at me.

T’Rak carried me through this part; the current is stronger than anticipated.

I’m not taking any chances, so I swim back towards the shore, keeping enough distance from both sides.

T’Rak wrestles with the bush before he’s back at the beach, carrying the pack on his back. Relief seeps through me, and when the fear disappears, my snarkiness finds its way back. “Took you long enough.”

He raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t speak, methodically making his way over to me.

“Why are you out here?” he asks.

I blush. “Thought I heard something and got scared.”

His gaze fixes on the shore immediately. “Stay there,” he commands and rushes towards the rocks. It doesn’t take him long to wave me over, and he hands me the tiny towel when I emerge from the water.

“There is nothing here; we should get dressed and start moving.”

I couldn’t agree more, and we’re both dressed in a matter of seconds. The material of the suit is still a bit damp, but beggars can’t be choosers and all that. T’Rak hands me some trail rations, and I devour them, hungry as I am. We drink some water, but the flask is empty.

“Can we use the water of the river to refill?”

He grunts, and I step onto the stones.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“I’m gonna go get the water from the current, it’s cleaner.”

“That is not necessary. There is a filter.”

My stubborn ass steps onto the stones anyway.

I can easily make my way a couple of feet into the river, and I bend down to refill the flask.

Too late, I realize the jungle has gone quiet.

Just when I register the silence, an enormous roar comes from upstream.

I look up and freeze. There’s a wall of water coming towards me - a river flood.

I look at T’Rak, and panic fills my eyes.

He shouts out my name, but I only see his lips moving, because the noise of the water is deafening.

I stretch out my hands before the water takes me.