Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

S abrost's pace didn't slow until the sun was almost directly overhead. Janet could feel the heat beating down on her, despite his attempt to keep to the shade. The land started to change again. Instead of the maze of scattered boulders, they were in an area of bare, craggy rocks that reminded her of some of the mountains near her home.

For the first time, she spotted a few scrubby bits of vegetation, although there were no other signs of life. But perhaps the absence of life was a blessing, given their last encounter.

Her head started to spin as the heat continued to increase. Sabrost said something to her, but she couldn't process the words. He muttered something that even in her befuddled state sounded like a curse.

Her vision wavered as time ceased to have all meaning. Then suddenly, she was in a pool of deep shade, and Sabrost was dribbling water into her mouth. She grabbed for the source, eager for more, but he held it out of reach.

"Slow."

She forced her tired brain to make sense of his word, then nodded.

He gradually gave her more water, cradling her like a baby as he dripped it into her mouth. The combination of the water and shade revived her to the point where she could finally take stock of her surroundings.

They were inside a cave. Not a small crevice like the one that had sheltered them the previous night, but an actual cave with a ceiling that arched above them. Despite the welcome coolness, she cast an uneasy glance at the shadowy corners.

"Are you sure we're alone in here?"

"Yes. I check." She must have looked skeptical, because he opened his mouth and flicked his tongue at her. "No taste."

Something she had once read about how reptiles could use their tongues to identify scents flickered through her head. Was he telling her that he couldn't smell those disgusting little creatures? She decided to take it on faith and nodded.

"All right. If you say so. Are we going to stay here until it gets dark?"

He hesitated, then ran a gentle hand along her wounded leg. "When walk."

"You want to stay here until I can walk?" The thought was both appealing and dismaying. She really didn't want to walk yet. Even if it meant it would take a little longer to get back to Earth, she felt surprisingly comfortable with Sabrost to keep her company. On the other hand, she thought as her stomach growled, it would be nice to have something to eat.

Sabrost must have heard her stomach because he put a warm hand across it. "Need food."

He looked so distressed that she gave him a warm smile.

"I'm all right. I know we haven't had time to look for anything."

"Unacceptable."

The word was so unexpected she stared at him. Where had that come from?

He was obviously too busy thinking to notice her surprise. Looking from her to the entrance of the cave, he said tentatively, "I hunt."

"You want to leave me and go hunting?" The thought terrified her but he must need food as much as she did. She gave him a brave smile. "I'm sure I'll be fine."

A chirp sounded from behind her, and she looked up to find the bird perched on a small ledge in the wall of the cave.

"See? I'll even have company."

He still looked undecided, but reluctantly rose to his feet. His hand briefly touched her cheek, then he strode towards the entrance of the cave. For a brief instant his big body was highlighted in the opening, and then he was gone.

Sabrost's determination to hunt for his female faded almost as soon as he left the cave. He hated the idea that she was alone and unprotected. Although he had told her the truth when he said that he could detect no sign of the creatures who had attacked her previously, what if there were other predators that he had not yet identified?

But if they were to remain here until her leg healed, they would need sustenance. Had she understood why he wanted to give her a chance to heal? While he would happily carry her wherever she wished to go for as long as she would let him, he hated to see her so vulnerable.

As he wavered, he noticed a small area of dry scrub. Inspiration hit him.

"Thank you, Tetlana," he said gratefully as he went to gather an armful.

As he reentered the cave with his findings, Janet looked up in surprise. He saw the gleam of water in her eyes before she gave him a determined smile.

"That was fast. Why are you bringing me a bush?"

He smiled at her as he began breaking the scrub into shorter pieces. Her face lit up as he started to arrange them in a rough pyramid.

"A fire? You're making a fire?"

He nodded, then went to search for the type of rocks needed to strike a spark. It had been many years since he had done this, but his skills were still with him. Within a short time, he had a small blaze going in the center of the cave.

"That's wonderful." Janet struggled to her feet as he hurried to her side, then shocked him by throwing her arms around his waist. "Thank you so much."

Her face was alight with happiness, and he hated to leave more than ever, but he still needed to feed her.

"I hunt," he said reluctantly.

"I know. Good luck."

She placed a small hand on his head and tugged him down towards her. He obeyed willingly, even though he didn't understand her intentions.

To his utter shock – and overwhelming delight – she pressed her soft lips against his mouth. His spines flared as he groaned with pleasure. By the Goddess, what an amazing sensation.

But then her smooth, little tongue actually slipped inside his mouth, and he lost the ability to think. Her delicious scent made his head swim, and he eagerly entwined his tongue with hers, exploring every inch.

She moaned into his mouth, and for a moment, he thought he had offended her. But then her arms tightened around his neck, her body pressed closer to his, and he felt the sweet press of her stiffened nipples against his chest.

His kalu jerked, threatening to emerge as it had earlier, but he managed to force it under control.

Her legs trembled, and he realized that she was putting too much weight on her wounded leg. Without releasing her mouth, he reached down and put his arm under the soft curve of her bottom, lifting her up against him. Her legs went around his waist, and he could feel the damp heat of her cunt against his slit.

It took every ounce of the self-control and discipline he had learned at the Temple to keep his kalu under control, especially when she moaned again and began to rock against him. Did her movements indicate that she wanted it to emerge?

No .

She hadn't asked. He had to leave before he lost control.

After one last sip at her delicious mouth, he slowly and reluctantly raised his head.

"I hunt."

That delightful pink washed over her face as she tried to scramble down.

"I'm sorry – that got out of hand. I just meant to wish you luck."

He helped her back onto a small rock near the fire.

"Luck." He ran a finger along her lips, even pinker and more swollen now. "Much luck, valitta."

And then he forced himself to leave.

Janet pressed her hand to her mouth as she watched Sabrost leave the cave. Excitement still hummed in her veins. What was it about him? Despite their differences, she couldn't deny the desire that flared so quickly between them.

Neither could she deny that his big muscular body was ridiculously attractive, and his more… alien features were unexpectedly arousing. But she suspected that it was more than just his physical appeal. He was just so… thoughtful.

She couldn't imagine any of her former boyfriends treating her so reverently or being so determined to care for her. If she had been stranded with Rick…

She snorted at the very idea. Even up at the cabin, he never bothered to bring in wood or try to start a fire.

"Maybe aliens are just better than men," she muttered to herself.

The bird squawked in seeming agreement, and she looked up to find him watching her, his head tilted to one side. It did make her feel better to know that she had some company.

"If you're going to stick around, we should give you a name."

She considered his pink and gold wings and the tiny crest on the top of his head. "How about Tinkerbell?"

He chirped amiably, and she smiled at him as she tried to get comfortable on her rock seat.

The fire cast a warm glow that helped to illuminate the dim cave, but the back wall was still thick with shadows. She found herself peering anxiously into the flickering darkness, trying to decide if there was anything back there.

"This is ridiculous. I'll just take a quick look."

Picking up one of the longer branches that Sabrost had brought into the cave, she pushed herself to her feet. Her leg was still painful, but with the aid of the branch she hobbled towards the back of the cave. Tinkerbell fluttered along behind her.

There was an odd little gap along the back wall, and for a heart stopping moment, she thought it was a back entrance. Instead, it was only a small crevice that gleamed in the firelight. She touched the shiny surface with a cautious finger and discovered that a small amount of water was trickling down the wall.

Delighted at the discovery – and thrilled to have something to do other than just worry – she retrieved the water pouch and began the slow process of refilling it.

Tinkerbell hopped down next to her while she worked, lapping at the dampness.

She reached out slowly and very gently touched his head. She wasn't sure what she had expected the featherless skin to feel like, but it was remarkably soft and smooth, like the finest suede.

He squawked nervously when she first touched him, but he didn't move away as she stroked the small crest. When she stopped, he nudged her finger again. She laughed and stroked him a few more times before returning to her task.