Chapter 11

Kara sighed as H'zim hastily retreated from the bedroom, his departure leaving her feeling bereft. Under other circumstances she would have been hurt, and truthfully, she still was a little, but there had been so much torment in his eyes that she knew it wasn't really about her. She understood that this was all new to him, that intimacy and trust were foreign concepts after being betrayed by that bitch, Ayyla. Still, a pang of disappointment pricked at her heart.

Now what?

She liked him - a lot - and she certainly wanted him. Her body still throbbed with unfulfilled desire, her nipples stiff and aching and her swollen clit a heated pulse between her legs.

Maybe it's just too soon.

They hadn't been together for very long after all. Under other circumstances she might have felt guilty about that, but she had surprisingly few regrets. This proud, troubled warrior had already managed to work his way into her heart.

The morning light streaming through the window cast an optimistic glow over the room, and she decided to focus on the positives. She had a home, a chance to rebuild her life, and a fascinating companion who, despite his gruffness, had shown glimpses of kindness.

She threw off the covers and began to get ready for the day, her mind whirling with plans for the farm. There was still so much work to be done, and she was determined to prove herself useful. As she dressed, she hummed to herself, trying to shake off the lingering disappointment.

Time, she decided. He just needed more time to get used to being free, to learn to accept her affection. She would just have to be patient.

Ten days later,the last thing Kara was feeling was patient. She'd tried to give H'zim space to work through whatever was going on in that thick head of his, but as the days turned into a week, and then another, her patience began to wear thin.

Their days together were long and productive, filled with the rhythm of farm work. The fences were mended, the wild grains coaxed into growing, and her garden was flourishing. The farm was slowly coming back to life, and she took a great deal of pride in their accomplishments.

But at night, as they lay in bed together, her frustration continued to grow. He'd initially tried to return to the barn, but she'd insisted that either he share the bed with her or she would join him in the barn. He'd agreed more readily than she expected and that had given her hope - unfulfilled hope as it turned out.

He let her snuggle against him. He even kissed her, but as passionate as those kisses became, he always pulled away, leaving her in a state of constant aching arousal. He acted as if he didn't feel the same need, but each morning she woke up with him wrapped around her, his arms holding her close, his legs tangled with hers - and his cock a huge throbbing bar against her butt. It was as if his subconscious was trying to tell her something his conscious mind refused to acknowledge.

She sighed, running her hand down his chest in the dark. He was awake, too, his body tense, his breathing slow and deliberate. She could feel his eyes on her, even in the darkness.

"Why do you do this?" she whispered. "Why do you keep pushing me away?"

The silence stretched out between them, a heavy, palpable thing, and her heart ached with longing and frustration. She ran her hand up his chest and he groaned, grabbing it before she could touch his face.

"Don't, Kara," he growled, his voice anguished.

"Why not? Don't you want me?"

"Fuck, yes," he muttered, barely loud enough for her to hear. "But I am not a fit mate for you."

His grip tightened and then he released her, releasing a long breath as he turned on his side so that his back was to her. She pressed herself against him, her body curving against his as she pressed tiny kisses to his back and shoulders.

"I don't want to talk about it," he said roughly.

"We don't have to talk." She let her hand slide down the hard ridges of his abdomen to the waistband of his pants. "I can show you."

His hand stopped her before she could touch him.

"Enough," he growled. "Go to sleep."

He released her hand, his rejection stinging even though he was only inches away. She fell asleep with tears on her face.

The next morning she decided to try a new approach. She put on the yellow dress she'd sewn, the one that accentuated her curves and made her feel like a ray of sunshine, then brushed her hair until it shone before putting it up in the high ponytail she knew he liked.

"It's time for a break," she announced, breezing into the kitchen where he was brewing a pot of coffee. "We're going fishing."

His gaze snapped to hers, his eyes heating as he took in her dress. She waited breathlessly but he didn't move from his position.

"I don't know. There's a lot of work to be done." he said, his voice neutral.

"Oh, come on," she coaxed, giving him a teasing smile. "It'll be fun. We can use the old rod from the barn. And it's not as if it would be a complete waste of time - we'll be restocking our provisions."

He gave her a skeptical look, but he finally nodded, and together they set out towards the nearby stream.

The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow over the landscape. Kara chattered merrily as they walked, teasing him about his lack of fishing skills and playfully nudging him with her elbow. He had little to say but his lips quirked with amusement and his body was almost relaxed for once.

As they reached the stream, she deliberately brushed against him, her breasts rubbing against his chest as she reached for the fishing rod. His eyes flashed to hers, his pupils dilating slightly before he looked away.

The day passed in a haze of laughter and gentle teasing. She caught several fish, but he caught even more, clearly pleased by his success. They were sitting on a grassy bank next to the stream as the shadows began to lengthen.

She'd found multiple opportunities throughout the day to touch him - brushing her lips against his ear, or trailing her fingers down his arm, watching as his eyes darkened with desire. She was also well aware that he'd had an almost constant erection.

Time to see if her plan had worked.

She leaned against him, letting her head rest on his shoulder.

"This is nice," she sighed, snuggling closer.

"Yes," he said, his voice almost a rumble in his chest as he put his arm around her.

She put her hand on his thigh, doing her best to make it seem like a casual move, then ran her hand gently back and forth over the hard muscles. With each stroke she came a little closer to the thick ridge of his erection. Her fingertips had just touched it, her heart pounding wildly, when his hand clamped down over hers.

She looked up to find him watching her, dark eyes glittering.

"You're teasing me," he growled.

He tried to pull her to her feet, but she twisted around and put her mouth against his. As soon as their lips touched, the kiss ignited, his mouth taking command of hers. He gripped her fiercely as he ravaged her mouth and she clung to him just as tightly.

Yes, she thought triumphantly as his hand closed over her breast, pinching her nipple as she gasped in pleasure. She moaned into his mouth as his hand tightened even more - and then he was gone, pulling back once again.

Her frustration finally boiled over.

"I've had enough of this," she snapped, rising to her feet. "I've got better things to do than waste my time waiting for you to make up your damn mind."

His face darkened, his eyes flashing.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"Away from you."

"You're not going anywhere," he growled, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine.

She flashed him a teasing smile, her heart racing with excitement.

"Watch me," she said, then turned on her heel and ran.

He immediately took off after her, quickly gaining on her. She laughed, exhilaration filling her as she darted between the trees. She knew she couldn't outrun him, but she was determined to make him work for it.

She wove left, then right, her yellow dress fluttering behind her like a banner. H'zim's roar of frustration echoed through the forest, making her giggle. She was having the time of her life, and she wasn't about to let him catch her just yet.