an insistent bulge pressing into her bottom. The campsite was quiet. Even Sharluff, who Grif had given a makeshift pen and tied up tight, was still sleeping from the sound of the low, mewling snores just audible through the tent flaps.
She had never woken up in anyone’s arms before.
As quietly as possible, she turned. He was so beautiful to her now. His dark fierceness and blatant strength no longer frightening, but comforting.
It was still hard to believe it had only been a short time since he’d first trapped her in his pit. It felt as if she’d been an entirely different person back then. Someone who knew so little about the universe, Others, herself.
Now a world of possibilities loomed before her—and so much potential for even greater heartbreak.
“Morning.” His voice rumbled through her, surprising her. She’d thought him asleep. “You nervous about today?”
“Yes.”
Grif had left her briefly last night to pack, shoving bars and waterskins as well as rope and various other supplies into the Other pouch he’d called a backpack in preparation for travel along the water currents. She had nothing, so her preparation had been minimal.
“I understand.” He rolled to the edge of their nest of coverings and she thought the matter ended.
She turned to leave the warmth herself.
“Here.”
She blinked in surprise. A fur pelt of red and tan hovered just in her line of vision, gripped tightly in his hand.
She looked at it, question in her gaze.
“You will use it as covering.”
Pain sliced through her. The thin healing tissue just beginning to blanket her wounds ripped wide.
She should have known. Her hands trembled as she shook it out, looking for the opening to put over her head.
A firm hand gripped her chin, tilting her gaze to his. “It’s an old cloth of mine for your hips. And another you can use as a wrap around your breasts.” His eyes darkened. “It’s not another anazi.” His grip tightened. “You are never covering yourself like that again.”
She swallowed hard. Trembling. Wanting so badly to believe.
As always, he knew. “You’re fucking beautiful.” Each word staunched the bleeding. “Looking at you brings me as much pleasure as touching you. Believe it.”
A part of her had been holding her breath since he’d held back from killing Sharluff. Even though she’d agreed to join him, a part of her still believed it could be a trick. That soon his words would be exposed as lies.
But with every word he uttered, her fears disappeared.
She was truly beginning to believe. A new life—the kind she’d always longed for—might truly be in reach.
“You are welcome to use my shirt as long as you like. It’s yours forever. But I wanted you to have these, too.” His gaze dropped to her breasts before returning to her lips, lust in his gaze. “Of course, the thought of keeping you naked has my dick hard and cheering.” He reached out, his finger skimming along the slope of her shoulder. “But this perfect, silky skin is delicate—and I want it protected from the suns and rocks, and you’ll need something hardier than the shirt for what’s ahead.”
“Th-thank you.” She could not have stopped her lips from tilting upward if she tried, the soft coverings pressed tight to her chest, so precious to her. Because they were from Grif. And he’d given them to her because he cared.
He smiled back. “I brought you these as well.”
He rolled back to the other side of the nest of coverings and pulled something from his pack. Her feet coverings. Rumpled but still wearable. He held them out. She clutched them to her. “Thank you.” She decided not to ask about her spear.
“The pieces of your spear are with Bain.” As always, he knew her mind. “If he can get it to work and make others, it will be returned to you when all this is over.” His stare turned determined. “When. Not if. Trust me, wild thing.”
She nodded.
When, not if. He truly believed they could find a way for their people to be more than enemies.
Unable to help herself, still clutching the soft coverings to her chest, she leaned forward, rubbing her nose against his collarbone and breathing in deep.
He sucked down a sharp inhale. Every muscle in his massive body suddenly tense as he growled low.
She skittered back, fearful she’d gone too far.
“Whoa. Where are you going?” A massive hand wrapped around the nape of her neck and dragged her back into place.
Still, uncertainty sifted through her. “I-I sorry. I should not have