Trapped (The Condemned Series #1) - Alison Aimes Page 0,7
muscular thighs. Payment had already come due.
“No.” Davies grabbed Bella’s arm, glaring at the mud man. “This isn’t right. Take me instead.”
His scowl deepened.
“It’s okay.” Bella hurriedly slid her hand into his. Davies’ offer was unbelievably brave, but Bella would never allow it. Her colleague was Council—and injured. She’d never survive this. Plus, the idea of a deal had been Bella’s from the start. And she couldn’t regret it. Not when they were all still alive.
His skin was rough—and surprisingly warm.
A shiver slid down her spine. So much so that it took her a second to realize he’d gone perfectly still. His gaze locked on their intertwined palms. Something that looked a lot like wonder etched in the hard planes of his face.
Her gaze skittered to Davies’. Her colleague looked equally confused.
It hit Bella then. Human contact. He was reacting to the sensation of touch. Cherishing something as simple as the heat of her palm against his.
A wave of sympathy rippled through her. This man might be a criminal, but he was also a living being. One who had clearly been alone for a very long time.
On instinct, she interlaced her fingers with his, pressing their hands closer.
He shuddered, his eyes sinking shut, his face tilting upward, the way a person might delight in the sun on his face after a hard, dark winter. Her chest went tight.
After a lifetime of being just one more mouth to feed, one more body that had to be clothed and housed using Earth’s ever dwindling resources, the feeling of mattering to someone was unfamiliar—and nice.
“It’s okay.” It was the same words she’d said before, but this time she meant it. “We‘re on your side….F—friends.”
His eyes flared open, his grip tightening, more possessive now than cherishing. All hints of vulnerability wiped away. “I’m not looking for a friend.”
He pulled her to stand on shaky legs, his voice a rusty, husky growl, as if he hadn’t used it much. Their bodies so close, the heat of his skin scorched her own.
Standing inches apart, she felt even smaller, the top of her head barely level with his chest. She tried to hold onto the image of wonder she’d seen on his face, but it wouldn’t stay. Now, he just looked dangerous—and hungry. I’m not looking for a friend. Not a promising beginning.
Against her will, her gaze dropped to the loincloth that did little to hide the rising evidence of his desire. Her stomach spasmed. Mud man was looking to be as big and thick there as he was everywhere else.
His hand contracted around hers.
Her head snapped up.
“Your deal. Your choice.” He released his hold, a message all its own.
Her mouth went dry. She understood. He wouldn’t force her. She’d been the one to suggest the trade. It was up to her to choose what happened next.
Not exactly what she’d expected from a Dragath25 criminal, but the same could be said of most everything he’d done thus far.
Her gaze flickered to Davies, to Winthrop, to the cave opening where even now those unholy shrieks rattled through the unguarded entrance. But she didn’t stop there. She took in the metal crutch at Davies’ side. Recalled the careful way Winthrop had been laid to the ground. The look on his face when she’d slid her palm against his.
She cleared her throat. “You fulfill your part of the deal. I’ll do what you want.”
His nostrils flared. Without another word, he wrapped his hand around her wrist and half dragged, half guided her deeper into the cave.
She heard Davies’ pained gasp as she tried to stand and shuffle after them—and Bella truly appreciated the woman’s continued willingness to fight for her, but there was nothing Davies could do. Nothing any of them could do.
He was big and strong enough to have taken her without giving anything in return. That he hadn’t simply used brute force, that he’d asked, that he’d been willing to walk away, said something. But pissing him off couldn’t be wise. One call and those shrieking beasts below would be aware of their presence.
They might be secure for now, but mud man still held their lives in his hands.
“Davies, please. I’ll be fine. Look after Dr. Winthrop.” She called the words over her shoulder, her voice surprisingly steady.
Whatever her colleague said was swallowed up as mud man hustled Bella through the twists and turns of the narrow cave. With every hurried step deeper into the bowels of the cliff, Bella’s calm eroded. If he wanted to hurt her,