“Oh, Bren.” She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him, wishing she could absorb his pain. She’d always known how deeply he was hurting inside, even when he wouldn’t talk about it.
His arms clamped around her. “Zari was still alive.”
Mersi’s chest locked. Oh, no.
“She’d been infected by the raiders.” His voice was toneless.
“No,” Mersi whispered.
“Yes. My sweet sister was a snarling, hungry, mindless raider.” His arms convulsed on her.
“I’m so sorry, baby.”
“I became Tainted for nothing. I didn’t protect them. And then I had to end my sister’s life.”
His breathing was harsh now.
Mersi knew that this was the deepest scar inside him. He was finally letting her in. “You tried to protect them, Bren. It wasn’t your fault.”
He didn’t respond, just held her tighter.
Suddenly, Mersi took note of the fact that Bren was naked. And worse, she felt wetness soaking her clothes. She sucked in a breath. Bren was bleeding.
She stepped back, taking in the bloody gash on his side. His injury from earlier was nothing compared to this new, nasty cut. She checked him over, trying very hard to ignore the incredibly large cock between his legs. He had another gash on his thigh.
“Come on, let me tend to your wounds, and you can get changed.”
“They’ll heal,” he said. “When I change back, it always heals me a little.”
“Well, you’re still bleeding.” She looked up, and when she spotted Hajar and Fiend nearby, she let out a grateful sigh. “Let’s find a safe place to make camp and rest for a little while.”
Bren stared at her.
“Let me take care of you,” she whispered.
He didn’t say anything, but he followed her. They traveled down the last dune and onto the rocky ground ahead. When they reached Hajar, Mersi grabbed their packs. She led Bren up into the nearby rocks.
“There’s a decent ledge up there with good shade.” Bren nodded his head. “Wide enough to rest on and easily defendable.”
They climbed to the ledge and Fiend bounded up behind them.
The canine moved along the space, sniffing, before choosing a spot overlooking the desert. He dropped down with a whuff of a sigh and curled up into a ball.
Mersi slipped off her bag. She pulled out her sleeping mat and laid it on the ground. Then she opened her small healing kit. Bren rummaged through his own bag and started to pull on some clothes.
She pulled out the healing supplies. “Um, don’t bother putting your trousers on. I need to get that leg cleaned.”
He hesitated, but obeyed. He sat down on the mat, draping his clean shirt over his lap.
“Both you and Fiend need to rest for a while and recuperate.” Mersi knelt in front of him, wet a cloth, and started dabbing at the ugly wound on his side. She prayed the child they were searching for was safe. We’re still coming, little one. As soon as we can.
Mersi carefully washed all the blood and dirt away. Then she moved onto Bren’s thigh wound. He didn’t even flinch.
Next, she pulled out a tube of med gel they’d purchased from the House of Galen in Kor Magna. One of their Earth women was a scientist, who’d made huge improvements to the gel. Mersi started smoothing it over Bren’s scrapes and cuts.
She kept stroking his skin, wanting to soothe his pain. And, well, if she was honest, she enjoyed the feel of his firm muscles. His skin was shades darker and rougher than hers, and she found it fascinating.
She heard a muffled groan.
“Sorry, am I hurting—” She looked up and her words died.
His entire body was tense. He shifted again, and that’s when her gaze locked onto the hard erection that was barely covered by the shirt he’d draped over his lap.
Oh. Desire stormed through Mersi and she licked her lips. He was so big and she wanted him so badly. She finished tending his wounds, her hand shaking.
She snapped the lid back on the gel. Then she stroked her hands up his thighs, to the muscles of his stomach.
“Mersi.” A strangled sound.
“I want you, Bren. You. Just as you are.”
The muscles under her fingers tensed.
“Will you let me touch you?” she asked.
Deep brown eyes met hers. “I’d let you do anything to me, Mersi.”
With that, she slid her hand down, knocked his shirt away, and wrapped her hand around his hard cock.
Chapter Six
Bren was burning up.
Desire roared through him, making his skin feel tight. His cock was hard and throbbing.
Mersi was touching him. “What are you—?”
“You’re so big, Bren.” Her voice was husky. “So hard.”
He swallowed a groan. Her fingers were soft and warm, and he looked down, watching as she stroked him. His cock was big and dark, bulging with veins, and her fingers looked delicate by comparison.
But she wasn’t delicate. She was the strongest woman he knew.
“I’ve imagined doing this,” she murmured.
Now he did groan. “Drak…feels so good.”
Her grip tightened as she pumped him. Those beautiful aquamarine eyes were locked on his cock, her lips parted. He didn’t see horror or fear, only wonder and arousal.
“Does it feel good?”
“Yes.” Those slim, competent hands kept working him, exploring him. Drak. He wouldn’t last long, not with Mersi touching him.
Her gaze met his. “I’ve wanted so desperately to touch you.”
His hips jerked up against his will. Her hand moved faster, and her other hand drifted lower, stroking and massaging him.
He groaned again. “Mersi.”
It was a warning. The pleasure was swelling and his control was shredded.
“Let go, Bren. Show me.”
As his orgasm hit him, a groan tore from his throat. His body jerked and he started coming, spilling all over Mersi’s hand and his stomach.
Drak. It happened too fast. Sucking in air, he tried to find his control. Just the slightest touch from her, and he was like an untried youth again.
But then Mersi circled her fingers through the come on his gut. There was wonder still on her flushed face.
Then she looked up. “That was so sexy.”
She was on her knees in front of him and he watched her squeeze her thighs together. Her cheeks were pink and there was desire in her eyes.
For him.
With a growl, he surged forward, tumbling her onto her back on her sleeping mat. He covered her body with his, and her hands clamped on his biceps.
“Tell me what you need?” she murmured.
“You,” he growled. “It’s always been you. I’ve fantasized about you for so long. Touching you, tasting you, being lodged deep inside you.”
Her chest hitched. “You don’t have to fantasize anymore.”
He groaned and lowered his head to kiss her. Her lips were so soft, and her tongue eagerly tangled with his. Her hands moved up, clenching in his hair, and she undulated against him.
Then she jerked back. “Your injuries—”
“Are fine.” He didn’t feel them at all. All he could feel was her need, and his already-hard-again cock.
She licked her lips. “Tell me what you fantasized about?”
“What color your nipples are. How plump your breasts would feel in my hands.”
“So, find out,” she said huskily.
He wasted no time. He sat up, straddling her, and he tore her shirt open. He pulled the bindings off her breasts, loving the skin he uncovered.
Then he cupped her breasts, his gut clenching. Need pumped through him. “Drak, you’re so pretty, Mersi.”
She arched up into his touch with a husky cry. He thumbed her delicate, pink nipples.
Then he lowered his head. He needed to taste her. He sucked one nipple into his mouth. Her hands clamped in his hair, more cries coming from her. He
knew his stubble was scraping over her skin, but the way she moved and the sounds she made told him that she liked it.
“What else…did you think about?” she gasped.
He moved his hands lower, opening her trousers. He leaned back, yanking them down her legs. She had a beautiful body—slender but strong.
“Putting my mouth on you.” He cupped her over her panties.
She moaned. “Do it. Please.”
Bren no longer had the control to pull her panties off. Instead, he twisted his fingers in the side of the silky fabric and tore them off her.
“Oh.” She bit her lip, watching him hungrily.
He dropped down between her legs, nudging her thighs apart with his shoulders. He breathed in the scent of her. She was so wet, soaked for him.
Struggling not to rush, he lowered his head and put his mouth on her.
She cried out. Drak. The taste of her filled him. He slid his hands beneath her, cupping her ass. He pulled her up, licking, his tongue stabbing into her.
“Bren.” A wild cry.
The look on her face made him shudder. His cock was so hard that it hurt.
“Don’t stop,” she begged.
“Nothing could make me stop.” He wanted to give her pleasure. He wanted to watch her when she came from his touch.
He lapped at her harder and slid one finger inside her warmth.
She cried out, her body clamping down on his finger. He gritted his teeth. She was so tight.
Bren kept his fingers plunging inside her, adding another, and another. He kissed his way up her body—over the curve of her belly, between her breasts, along her collarbone. Then he kissed her lips and felt her body start shaking.
“I’m going to—”
“Come,” he growled. “Give it to me.”
As she cried out, he swallowed her cries.
“Bren.” It was a sweet, pleasure-soaked cry against his lips.
Like her laugh, it was the best thing he’d ever heard.
* * *
Every muscle in Mersi’s body was loose and relaxed. She wasn’t sure she’d ever felt this good.
But despite her orgasm, she felt a deep, empty ache inside. She looked up at Bren, who loomed over her. His face was hard with desire.
“Come inside me,” she demanded. “Now.”
He rose above her, and her gaze fell on his broad chest and slabs of muscle. Oh. She pressed her hands to him. She’d always loved his strong body.
He shifted again, and this time, her belly spasmed. His big, thick cock was hard again, pressing up against his stomach.
“Come here,” she murmured.
He dropped down, covering her body, and his mouth returned to hers.
“Now I want what I’ve always dreamed about,” she said.
“What’s that?”
“You. Deep inside me.”
He groaned and kissed her again—long and deep. His hand worked between them for a moment. Then, the thick head of his cock brushed her and nudged inside her.
She moaned. He was barely inside her, but by the dunes, he stretched her.
Bren paused, his big body shaking.
“Don’t stop.” She reached up, her hands clenching on his arms.
“I’m hurting you.”
“No. It hurts so good.” She lifted her hips, winding her legs around him.
A rough sound tore from his throat and he sank in another inch.
“Bren.” When he shifted, like he was going to move off her, she dug her heels into his back pushing him forward. “Fuck me. Please. Don’t stop.”
“Mersi.’
“Be mine. I’m already yours.”
His eyes blazed. “Mine. My Mersi.” He pulled out, but then slammed back inside her.
Oh. She arched into him, biting her lip. She was so full.
Then he started thrusting—wild, hard, and deep.
“Drak, Mersi. You’re so tight.”
“Perfect. So good.” She met his hot gaze. “I always knew it would be.”
He kept plunging into her, and she held him tight. Another orgasm was rushing closer, but she wanted to savor every moment. She loved watching his face as he moved inside her.
His gaze locked on hers, and as he filled her up, she felt the link between them. Pleasure rushed over her and she cried out, then Bren groaned.
Her body shuddered, the sensation so intense. He thrust into her again and tossed his head back, roaring as his own release hit him.
His big body shuddered above her before he collapsed on her, both of them panting.
He was heavy and she struggled to draw a breath. Instantly, he rolled off her and she clamped onto him. “No.” She didn’t want to lose the feel of him.
“Too heavy for you.” He moved to the side, pulling her close against him.
She rested her face on his chest. “Let’s stay like this forever.” She knew they couldn’t. They’d rested long enough and there was still a child out there who needed help.
He grunted, his arm tightening on her. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“You weren’t ready.” She brushed her fingers in a lazy circle on his chest. “We’ll talk more when we get back, after we find the child.”
“I’ll always be Tainted, Mersi.”
“I don’t care.”
“There’s…more. About how I became Tainted.”
“Later.” She pressed a palm to his chest, over the thud of his beating heart. “But remember one thing, Bren. You deserve a life. You deserve love.”
“Mersi—”
She shook her head, insidious fear working through her. She heard the shadows in his voice. Drak, what if they got back to the caravan, and he wanted to forget what they’d just shared? What if he went back to shutting her out?
She sat up. She wouldn’t let him. But right now, they had a child to find. She glanced at Fiend who was stirring from his sleep. He looked much brighter.
Mersi grabbed her clothes and dressed. Bren washed up and dressed. He handed Mersi some food—cured meats, nuts, and preserved fruits. She ate, then took a moment to feed Fiend and clean the blood off his fur as best she could.
As she was re-packing her bag, she saw Bren standing on the edge of the ledge, staring out across the rocky ground.
“A few more hours of daylight left,” he murmured. “Rocks will make it harder to track.”
“We won’t give up.” She leaned into his side and when he pulled her close, she felt warmth bloom in her chest.
Suddenly, Fiend started pacing, clearly agitated. He whined.
“What’s wrong, boy?” Mersi said.
The canine threw his head back and howled. Then he turned, bounding off the ledge, and ran off into the rocks.
“Drak.” Bren grabbed his pack and crossbow.
Mersi grabbed her boots, hopping on one foot to put them on. She snatched her pack, swinging it onto her back.
“We’re going to lose him,” Bren bit out. “Hurry!”
They ran after the canine, clambering over the rocks. Mersi could just see Fiend ahead of them.
They scrambled over huge boulders, and skidded over loose, gravel-like stones. She followed Bren up a huge rock and watched, as he jumped off and landed on the other side with a bend of his knees. When she leaped off after him, Bren caught her, lowering her to the ground.
“Careful, the ground’s really rough here,” he warned.
They climbed up another wall of rocks. Worry nipped at her. They’d lost sight of Fiend.
Drak, was the child close? Or had some danger set the animal off?
She wasn’t sure how far they’d gone, but as the second sun passed the horizon, the light waned.
Bren paused, scanning the growing darkness. “Where the drak did he go?”
Then, she heard barking.
It was coming from beneath them.
She spotted a crack in the rocks. There was a faint glow coming through it.
“Bren,” she called out. “Down there.�
� She pointed at the crack between the large boulders.
Bren pulled out a light wand and waved at the gap between the rocks. They still couldn’t see much. Without pause, Bren leaped down through the crack, slithering between the rocks. Mersi followed.
Then, she heard him curse.
As she took another step, her feet landed on scree and she slipped. What the—? She bumped into Bren, and suddenly both of them were sliding and bumping downward over loose rocks. It was like a large, not-very-fun slide.
Bren wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. She buried her face in his neck.
Then they slid onto solid ground and skidded to a stop.
Mersi lifted her head, and her mouth dropped open. They sat at the bottom of a huge bowl of rock that had been cut into the ground. The space was rimmed by jagged rocks, and the night sky arched above them.
Wait. She realized what it was—a crater. Some long-ago rock had hurtled through space and hit the ground here. She’d seen other craters dotted throughout the desert, but this one was hidden by the rocky ground surrounding it.
Then she looked into the center of the crater and gasped. Bren muttered a curse.
The ruins of ancient buildings had been carved into the center of the depression. The structures were made of a rock that glowed with a blue-white light. Mersi had never seen rock like that before in the desert.
The structures were crumbling, little more than broken shells, abandoned long ago. She saw where a tower had crashed down, leaving a trail of glowing rubble that littered the ground.
Bren stood, dragging Mersi up with him. His big hand engulfed hers as he pulled her forward.
As they neared the first of the old buildings, Mersi spotted strange carvings etched into the rocks in a language she didn’t recognize. But some of the carvings were pictures, and one image stood out. A flower with three fluted petals.
An oria.
A highly-prized, rare flower that was the symbol of the Creators.
She gasped. “These are Creator ruins.”
Suddenly, a wild burst of Fiend’s yips echoed off the rocks around them.
Chapter Seven
Bren watched Mersi take off into the ruins, climbing up over the remnants of a glowing rock wall. He raced to follow her, helping her up onto what had probably once been the roof of the building.
Hunter: Galactic Gladiators #12 Page 5