Hannah's Hero - Ruby Dixon Page 0,83

together then I don’t want to do it by myself. I need you with me. I need you at my side, not flinging yourself at some damned monster just because you think I need saving. If we have to stay here a month, then we stay here a month. Or three months. Or however long. Just…stay with me.”

I feel as if I’m on the verge of tears. I know I’m not sounding rational. I don’t sound rational to my own ears, but I don’t care. If it takes me being a clingy, needy woman to pull him away from that cave entrance, I’ll play the baby card. I don’t care. I’ll cry a million tears if it makes him come back to my side. Whatever it takes, I’ll do it. He’s mine and I’m his and that’s all there is to it.

He lowers his head, looking torn.

As if determined to be part of the conversation, the monster outside bellows in anger, as it does so many damn times a day that I’m starting to get used to it.

J’shel looks over at the cave entrance, and I panic.

“Please, J’shel.” I whisper. “Don’t we deserve some happiness together? After all we’ve been through?” Between the two of us we’ve lost two homes, countless family members, and more than I can ever comprehend. We deserve our own happiness. We need it, damn it.

I’m so relieved when he turns away from the entrance and heads toward where I lie on the furs. “I will not leave you, H’nah. I promise you this.” He crouches at my side, caressing my cheek. A hint of a smile touches his lips. “And my khui still hums with need. If there is to be a kit between us, it is not yet made.”

“Well, you’re the one dragging your feet,” I tease, running a hand down my ample body. “I’m right here. What are you waiting for?”

His eyes gleam with delight and he lowers his big body to the furs, pulling me against him as he kisses me. I fling my arms around his neck, grateful he’s chosen me.

We make love for hours, until I’m exhausted and utterly content. There’s no place on my body that J’shel hasn’t licked, sucked, nibbled, tasted, or bitten. I’m feeling rather tasty…and happy. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be happy again, but here in his arms? I can’t stop smiling. He strokes a hand over my hair and holds me against his chest as we catch our breath from the latest round of resonance-induced sex, and it’s nice to just enjoy the quiet and the touch of my lover’s skin.

Eventually, though, the stickiness of my body—and his—starts to get to me. J’shel’s long hair is everywhere, clinging to us wherever we’re damp…which is all over. I pull a long strand out of my mouth, sputtering, and he chuckles, squeezing my ass.

“You were the one that wished to see my mane long and free,” he teases. “Here it is, free to go wherever it likes.” And he pulls another strand off of my tit.

I wrinkle my nose, aware that I probably don’t smell like a rose, in addition to being sticky and sweaty. I think of the pool below, where Brooke and Taushen have set up. Right now, it sounds a bit like heaven. “Can we go down below and swim?”

“Of course. Whatever you would like to do.” He rubs my shoulder and presses a kiss atop my head, and I feel like the most pampered, adored woman in the world.

I also briefly feel like climbing him again, but the thought of a cool swim wins out. “Let’s go swim!”

We get to our feet, I pull more of his long hair off of my sweaty body, and then I dress in my tunic. I hate the thought of wearing so much heavy leather especially when it feels like a sauna in the cave, but I don’t have a choice. With a grimace, I put it on and eye the scraps of my panties. J’shel tore the leather to shreds. Which is hot…but also leaves me bare-assed, since I’m not about to put on my leggings. I tug on the edge of my tunic. It’s long enough that it fits me like a dress, so I figure what the hell. Close enough.

J’shel puts on his own leather loincloth, and then twists his hair into a tail to get it out of the way, then offers me a hand. “You wish to ride on my