Page 116 of Wrapped in Their Arms

ThenCookiewalked back in with a tray full of steaming mugs.

“Drink up,” the alien cook said.“Specialblend for extra energy.”

Bright stared down at the mug set before him.

The liquid inside was hot pink and bubbling.Itsmelled like candied bacon and something sour.

Oh hell no.

He pushed it away, gently but firmly.

Burn didn’t touch his.

Noelle took a cautious sip, grimaced, and then slid hers to the side as well.

Cookie narrowed his eyes but didn’t say anything.

The silence that followed was thick and heavy.

Bright leaned back, scanning the room.Therehad to be a way out.Therehad to be a moment whenThunelet his guard down—when they could make a move.

We just need one chance,he thought.Oneopening.AndifIget it,I’mnot letting go.BecauseIswear on theGoddessHerself…Iwon’t letThuneforce us to hurtNoelleagain.

Even if it means dying to stop him.

64

NOELLE

Noelle winced as she bent over to pick up a piece of crumpled food wrapper from the floor ofThune’sbedroom.Herentire body ached—particularlybetweenher legs—and not in a good way.

Burn had wanted her last night.Neededher.Butnot like that.

Not with that bastard forcing us…Notwith the pain collar threatening all of us.

ButDios, what choice did we even have?

She tried to push the memory aside, tried to separate theBurnshe knew—the quiet, brooding warrior who watched over her so protectively—from the broken male who had taken her roughly in front ofThune’sleering faces.Hehadn’t wanted to hurt her.Sheknewthat.

AndBright…Brighthad tried to make it better, to ease her pain afterward with whispered comfort and gentle touches.

But this morning,Burnhadn’t met her gaze.Heseemed to be angry—whether at himself or her, she wasn’t sure.

I wishIhad more time.IwishIcould talk to him, make him understand.I’mnot mad at him.Noteven a little.Ijust want us to be okay.

She straightened with a soft hiss as pain lanced up her thighs.

She hadneverbeen with anyone the size of either of theKindredwarriors.Herex-husbandBranson…well, let’s just say she hadn’t even known what it meant to feel full until she’d metBurnandBright.

Branson hadn’t exactly had a micro penis—but he’d definitely qualified as undersized.Andhe’d always blamedherfor not getting off during sex—like it washerfault his equipment came with a built-in disappointment guarantee.

And now…Sherubbed her lower back and sighed.NowIcan barely walk straight.

CleaningThune’sdisaster of a bedroom wasn’t making things any easier.Thefloor was, as usual, littered with half-chewed bones, crushed snack wrappers, empty bottles, and what looked suspiciously like a crusty, used sock.

The bed itself looked like a nest a drunken animal had flopped around in.Themattress was sagging, the sheets were twisted and stained, and a sour, greasy odor clung to everything like a fungal growth.

She grimaced and pulled the covers up, trying to force the stiff sheet into something resembling hospital corners.Herinner thighs protested with every movement, but she pushed through the pain.