Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
“Of all his people, yes,” I said.
“As for humans…” The basandere bent to the stream and dipped in her bucket. “We monitor the wood. The elders do, I mean. They can use it to sense trouble from a great distance. Many, many miles. They’ll know if someone dangerous is coming long before they get here. You’ll have plenty of warning.”
A pang of guilt hit me. This youth was assuring me of my safety. She was offering her people as a warning system. What was I doing, knowingly putting them in danger? I was bringing an unwelcome disruption to their quiet sanctuary.
“Anyway,” she said after standing again. She glanced at Austin resuming his position in the water. “If you’re okay…”
“I am.” I offered her a smile I didn’t feel. The warning from earlier continued to pound, speeding up my heart. “Just getting used to everything.”
She nodded and started to leave, but then turned back. “I’ll see you at the feast tonight. It’s nice to have fresh faces, even if a bit unusual…”
She’d better be talking about Edgar or Mr. Tom and not me.
“There are many stories of when the basajaunak moved around a great deal more,” she continued. “But my mother says that as humans took over more spaces and trees were torn down, our kind have grown stationary. Many of us have, anyway. I have never been anywhere. Everyone thinks he is rash or foolish for venturing out and following the stars, but he is doing as our ancestors did.” Her voice softened. “I want to do that as well. I want to see more than this wood. I want to meet different creatures and sneak up on humans. Maybe I can get my picture taken and have everyone obsess over finding me.” Her eyes sparkled before dimming again. “Anyway. Thank you for coming. Thank you for giving us a breath of the outside world.”
I sat quietly as she disappeared into the trees. If only that breath of the outside world wasn’t a crew of angry mages intent on destruction.
A loud splash brought me back to the moment. Another fish flew out, and Austin immediately pounced after it. I took a deep breath and let my smile return as I watched him assess his kill and then back off. His large form shrank into a man cut with muscle and glimmering with water.
“That should be good,” he said, bending down to grab the latest fish and add it to the pile I’d made earlier. “Or should I try for a round dozen?”
He braced his hands on his hips as he glanced back at me. My alpha mate. The biggest, baddest alpha of them all, and I got to watch him mess around in the water and debate whether his offering would be enough.
I smiled and eased off the rock.
“My hero, the hunter,” I said as my heart expanded and heat pooled low. “Or should I call you the fish slapper?”
His eyes heated as I slunk toward him, all hip and breast. He turned a bit more, showing the effect I was having on him.
“Hunter, obviously,” he said in a deep voice, wading into the water toward me. He stopped me on the bank before backing me toward the rock I’d been sitting on. “I am man. Hear me grunt.”
I laughed, and his lips touched down on mine.
“Are we alone?” he asked softly. His fingers worked at my shorts. “I’ve missed the feel of your body wrapped around me.”
“It’s only been one day,” I said with a smile, sensing with magic and then cocooning us in a spell.
“One night. Nearly two days.”
His hands dipped into my shorts.
I sucked in a breath and closed my eyes. He did tight circles with two fingers before sliding them through my wetness.
“We’re alone,” I said, pulling off my shirt. “No one will see us.”
His kiss was deep and passionate. My clothes were removed in record time.
“I like it here,” he said, slowing down for a moment so he could feel up my body. He ran his thumb across the peak of my breast, making me shiver. “I love being with you here. Or maybe I love being with you anywhere, and the beauty of this place is just a bonus. Like your beauty is just a bonus to the amazing woman that you are.”
I kissed him deep and long, hooking my leg onto his hip.
“I like you just for your looks,” I murmured, and then laughed when he playfully bit my neck.
He whirled me around and pushed me forward. My palms slapped down on the rock. In the next moment, he sank deeply into me, eliciting my moan of pleasure. His sigh drifted toward me, sweet and satisfied, his pace unhurried.
His hands came around me to cup my breasts. The peace and serenity I felt in this spot merged with the delicious slide of his girth.