Trapped (The Condemned Series #1) - Alison Aimes Page 0,36

and over when she was back where she belonged and he was alone again.

Chapter Eleven

Bella’s shoulder hit the ground first, her teeth vibrating inside her skull.

Exhausted, sweaty, her muscles screaming, she flopped onto her back and surveyed the rust-colored cave ceiling overhead. It was as austere as the rest of Caine’s home.

She’d had little chance to look around when they’d arrived in near darkness late last night, her body exhausted from the trek and the day’s events, her eyes barely able to stay open.

But from what she could tell in the light of day, she hadn’t missed much. Beyond the weapon arena she was currently lying in, there was a kitchen area with a fire pit and stocks of food and water and a separate area with a bed. A surprisingly comfy bed she wished she was still in.

Supposedly, there was a warm spring in one of the back caverns, but she hadn’t seen any evidence of it yet. Caine had been too intent on getting going with her training. While she might not be accountable for every waking movement as she had been under Council protocol, her current situation suddenly didn’t feel too different.

Truth be told, the Caine who faced her now appeared almost as rigid. Much like his home. Everything in his place was neat and orderly and very utilitarian. There was nothing that didn’t serve a purpose. Nothing that suggested frivolity or fun. Nothing that indicated what the hell he’d been doing for the last eight years besides trying to survive.

“I really thought I had you that time.” It wasn’t true, but if she said it often enough, maybe he’d believe she was actually improving and let her take a break. She hadn’t realized he’d be quite this intense about her training.

“Again.” Without warning, Caine grabbed her wrist and lifted her to her feet, his scowl firmly in place. She’d thought yesterday had brought them closer, but apparently, that had been a one-day scenario, at least on his part. Because whatever tenderness he’d shown after yesterday’s attack was nowhere to be found today. In its place was a guarded reserve she didn’t welcome or understand.

Unless they were having sex. Then she sensed the same desperation he’d shown when they first met. In fact, when she’d woken up early this morning, he’d fucked her like he might never again. Then he’d done it three more times. Her legs were still rubbery.

She took a deep breath and reminded herself not to jump to conclusions. After all, he’d been on his own a long time. They had limited time to train. He was used to a hard way of life. Not to mention it might take some time for him to grow accustomed to having someone else under foot all the time.

The list of justifications went on and on. Plus, it was no small thing that he was pushing her so she could defend herself against monsters like the one she’d encountered yesterday—and she wanted that, too. Wanted to be able to defend against anything that might come her way. Especially since she hadn’t given up on saving the approaching Council rescue shuttle and finding a way to return to Earth.

“Remember to watch your left. You’re dropping it every time.” He bent into a crouch, the flickering light from the glow torches on the walls dancing off the carved muscles of his stomach highlighting every mouthwatering shift and flex. His sexy happy trail disappearing beneath the waistband of a pair of faded camo pants that sat low on his hips. Honestly, the man was temptation itself.

She didn’t know if the shift from the loincloth was a laundry issue or a sign he was embracing more of the man he’d once been, but she was taking it as a good omen.

He’d given her a new faded t-shirt to wear as well. It was as roomy as the last, but free of dust and dirt and hung to her knees—which was good since she still had no underwear. Outside, wind and dust battered at the thick cave walls, as loud as a shuttle engine.

The dust storm, which had started early this morning, had made it impossible for them to head out to warn her crew about 225 and the trackers. A situation that had worried her until Caine pointed out 225’s men were trapped as well.

Her breath left her in a rush as her feet swept out from under her.

Caine had come at her while she was lost in thought. She braced