“What is it?”
A piercing shriek from above answered her question.
Saber scooped her off her feet and thrust her beneath the drooping foliage of a tree. The skinny green and pink leaves blocked her vision, but she could hear the screeches of the bird flying overhead.
Saber squeezed under the low branches and hauled her trembling body into his arms. “It didn’t see us,” he said against her ear.
“God, I hope not. It can land in the valley.”
“It could, but I think it’s hunting different prey today. Listen.”
Eva swallowed and listened. In the distance she could hear panicked squawks, the thunder of running feet. She recognized the high-pitched shriek of the big-ass bird, heard the whop-whop of its wings.
“Whatever the bird is hunting is running this way,” Saber said. “Curl up. Make sure your limbs are well off the path.”
Eva didn’t need to be told twice. She curled against Saber’s warm, strong body and concentrated on breathing. Hellfire and Finnian bats. After this adventure, nothing in the city would ever scare her again. Even the Dearbhorgaills were manageable—their reactions predictable compared to the creatures inhabiting this island.
The panicked sounds came closer and closer. Squawks. Screams. Fast-running feet. Dust rose as terrified birds thundered past their hiding place. The birds were big and all she could see were strong legs that ran past as they headed for the safety of the forest.
Eva pressed her face against Saber’s chest, breathed in his masculine scent. His strong arms wrapped around her trembling body, and she was fiercely glad of his presence.
The whop-whop of wings sounded closer now, and the number of birds sprinting past their hiding place had thinned. The old and the young bringing up the rear, Eva thought. The infirm.
A bird limped past, trying to go fast but unable. A smaller bird raced at its heels, frantic squawks filling the air. The whop-whop sound was almost on top of them now, and Eva trembled violently.
“It’s all right,” Saber said. “The bird can’t get us while we remain under here. He’s after easier prey.”
Eva opened her eyes again and watched as a bird was plucked off the ground right in front of their hiding place.
A small blue missile shot under the tree and hit Eva’s side. She screamed, her cry of terror cutting off abruptly as she heard the whop-whop of wings.
“It’s another bird,” Saber said. “It’s as scared as you are.”
Eva swallowed, felt the bird quivering against her side. She shifted her position in a measured way so as not to cause fear and glanced down. The bird was bright blue with stout legs. Without haste, she reached out and stroked her hand over its blue feathers. The bird moaned, or at least the sound came close to one, and tried to squeeze closer.
“I think it’s a baby,” Saber said.
Eva croaked in dismay. “Is everything big on this planet?”
“So it would seem.” Amusement colored Saber’s voice and she became aware of something poking into her hip.
“Is that you?”
“Afraid so,” he said without apology.
“That’s disgusting.”
“You didn’t think so this morning.”
Eva changed the subject. “Do you think the big-ass bird is gone? I can’t hear anything now.”
“Wait until we start to hear the other birds singing,” Saber said. “That way we’ll know it’s safe.”
“I’d love to have a wash.”
“We will, as long as it’s safe.”
Eva relaxed and stroked her hand over the quivering bird that cuddled against her so trustingly.
“Have you seen one of these birds before?”
“No, there aren’t any on the resort side of the island. Not big like this. We have the smaller variety.”
“Maybe you should start running adventure tours,” Eva said. “I can do without this type of adventure, but there are lots of males in Dalcon who’d thrive on this stuff.”
“We don’t own this land,” Saber said. “Although there’s no reason why we can’t look into purchasing it at a later date.”
“What is your favorite color?”
“Why?” Saber asked.
“I need to distract myself. I’m conjuring all sorts of horrid scenarios and most of them contain big-ass birds eating me.”
“If it weren’t so cramped under here I could distract you in other ways.”
“I have a baby bird sitting right next to me.”
Saber’s low chuckle sent warmth burrowing through her veins. The heat converged in one achy spot between her legs.
“My favorite color is blue. Cornflower blue,” he added.
“What color is that? I’m not familiar with that shade.”
“It’s the same shade as your eyes.”
“Oh.” The warmth spread upward and clawed dangerously close to her heart. Saber was a tricky man, and she’d do well to remember that.
“The birds have started singing again,” Saber said.
Eva listened and realized he was right. “You think it’s safe to crawl out of here?”
“I can’t hear the wing-beat of the bird any longer. Stay here while I check.”
Saber wriggled from beneath the tree, and Eva watched him walk along the trail until she could no longer see him. Her hand smoothed over the feathers of the bird cuddled against her, and she waited.
Saber scented the air and scanned his surroundings. He knew the danger was gone, since he saw the big pale-blue birds exit the trees and return to the grasslands of the valley. Overhead, birds of smaller species flitted through the air and in the distance, he saw several bovine-type animals lazing in the sun of an open meadow.
He made his way down to the water and dipped in a finger. It was pleasantly warm, steam drifting up in lazy tendrils. After no adverse effects, he stripped off and waded into the water. It smelled of lavender and felt silky against his skin. Beneath the surface, tiny pink fish appeared. They approached him warily and when he didn’t move, they swam closer.
One darted to his arm and nibbled at a dry scab. Another headed for his feet. They weren’t biting. They were feeding on his dead skin. Interesting.
Saber let them nibble until one or two swam too close to his groin.
“That’s close enough,” he muttered and waded from the water. He pulled on his trousers and boots and strode back to where he’d left Eva. “It’s okay. You can come out.”
“Where have you been?”
“I checked the water. It’s safe to swim.”
Eva slid from beneath the tree and groaned as she straightened. “Ow.” She shook her arms and legs and checked her elbow, frowned at a red scratch. “Swimming? Really?”
“You should be able to wash your clothes too.”
“Let’s go.”
A distinctive honk came from the bright-blue bird. It waddled over to where Eva stood and waited.
“You’ve made a friend.”
“As long as it doesn’t want to eat me.” Eva cast the bird a doubtful look and Saber wanted to laugh. The bird had long, stout legs and a plump body. Its beak reminded him of a goose’s but the pale-violet color was distinctly alien. The blue feathers acted like a homing beacon, standing out against the mainly green grasses, and at the base they bore the same violet hue as the creature’s beak.
“It reminds me of a goose on stilts. They’re Earth grazing birds,” he added.
“Oh.” Eva’s doubtful expression didn’t shift. “I guess it will find its family soon. Where is this water? Lead the way.”
The path leading to the swimming hole was wide enough for them to walk side by side. Saber placed his hand at the small of Eva’s back and guided her in the right direction. Although she jolted when his fingers touched her skin, she didn’t protest.
Maybe he was playing things too safe. Maybe he should give in to the impulses riding him to touch her—and touch her often.
“Why is the water steaming?”
“
It’s warm.”
The bird honked and trotted after them. Eva glanced over her shoulder and frowned, but Saber urged her to continue walking.
At the water’s edge, he bent to pull off his boots then waded into the water.
Eva hesitated.
“Take off your clothes if you want. I don’t mind.” Hell no. He didn’t mind looking at her one bit. While some people might call her body boyish, she still had plump breasts. He suspected she didn’t eat much and once he fed her properly, she’d become pleasingly curvy. Either way, he didn’t care. She amused him, made him laugh.
The blue bird wandered off and started to graze, letting out intermittent honks. Eva had decided to strip and Saber waded a little deeper into the water so his shoulders were submerged. The tiny pink fish were already nibbling his upper body, and he kept his gaze on Eva. Maybe he should warn her.
“Flying Finnian bats,” she said. “This feels so good.”
It was good from his side too. Her breasts, with their pale-pink nipples, bobbed in the water. She scrubbed her hands over her body, under her arms, and groaned.
“Ooh, look,” she said. “There are fish. I wonder if they’re edible.”
Saber bit back his amusement as he moved closer to her. She was about to discover she was dinner.
“They’re a pretty color.” She reached out a hand then let out a startled shriek. She lurched about in the water, her arms flapping and breasts bouncing. “I thought you said this was safe?”
She threw herself at him, arms clutching his shoulders, legs curled around his waist.
“Careful,” he gasped while attempting to stem his urge to laugh long and loud. “You’re cutting off my circulation.”
“The fish are biting me!”
“They’re nibbling at dead skin cells,” he corrected. “Hold still and watch.”
Eva stilled but remained wrapped around him. He watched her face, her blue eyes going round as the fish approached and started gently nibbling on her arm.
“It tickles.”
“But they’re not going to hurt you.” Saber lifted an arm and stroked his fingers over her damp hair. “Want me to wash your hair for you?”
“You’d do that?”
“Lean your head back so I can wet your hair.” He helped her float and supported her with one hand while he ran the fingers of the other through her locks. He massaged her head and saw her eyelids lower. After a few minutes, he’d washed it as best he could without soap. “All done. I’m going to take off my trousers and lay them on the bank to dry. I’ll be back soon.”
Her eyes flew open. A furrow etched between her brows.
“Don’t worry, kitten. You’ll be fine. I won’t be far away.”
Saber waded to the bank and the blue bird came scurrying over, honking and rubbing against Saber’s wet legs. “Hey, fella.” He knelt and ran his hand over the bird’s plumage. The honking turned to soft sighs, and when Saber stopped petting the bird, he pecked his leg, making a different sound yet again, almost demanding. “Funny blue bird.”
Saber peeled off his trousers and draped them on a bush. The bird shuffled over to Saber’s boots and sat between them. His head dropped to his chest and his eyes closed. Saber shook his head and waded back into the water. He had the feeling that they might have found a third member to add to their party of two.
He headed straight for Eva. She was floating on the surface, her blonde hair fanned around her head. He noticed her legs were firmly together and only a few tiny fish were feasting on her arms. He waded closer, slicing through the water with nary a splash until he reached her side.
Enticed by her breasts, he ducked his head and closed his mouth around one pert nipple.
“Oh!” She started floundering.
“Steady. I have you.” More than you realize. Saber shoved the thought aside in favor of seduction. He took her mouth—hard and hungry. A play of teeth and lips until she responded, opening to him, letting him explore as she explored in return.
When he lifted his head, her lips were pink and swollen, her eyes large, dark pools of arousal and emotion.
Mine. Mine! he thought, his cat flexing powerfully beneath his skin. He hauled her into his arms, let her feel the steely length of his dick. His mouth closed around one nipple and he sucked strongly, drawing small noises of enjoyment from Eva. She wrapped wet limbs around him, clutching his head in a powerful grip.
Saber lifted his head and laughed. The joy of the unfamiliar sound wrapped around him, made him smile wider. He waded to the shore, the tiny fish swimming away, alarmed by the movement. Saber scanned the vicinity for signs of danger and saw nothing to alarm him.
He set Eva gently on a grassy bank and stood again, looming over her. “Spread your legs. I want to see you.”
She stared at him for a long moment, hesitating.
“Do it,” he ordered.
She frowned then parted her legs to reveal sexy pink flesh. A delicate tinge of pink flooded her cheeks, charming him.
“Don’t be embarrassed. You’re gorgeous.” He squatted beside her and ran a light finger down her cleft until his fingertip came to a halt on her clit. It was swollen and stood out from its protective hood. “Beautiful.”
“I…ah…”
“Shush, Eva. Your flesh is swollen and a deep pink color. You’re so aroused.”
“Um…”
“No talking, kitten. Just feel.”
Saber lay between her legs and blew a stream of warm air over flesh. Then he lifted her to his mouth and settled in to feast. Her tart flavor burst over him while her throaty moans urged him to greater liberties. He ran his tongue around her clit and pushed a finger into her moist channel. Beneath his skin, his feline twisted, urging him to act.
Saber froze when his canines grew longer—far more prominent than normal.
Fuck. That had never happened before.
“Is something wrong?”
He lowered his head again and gave her nub a firm lick in response. Eva’s hands slid into his hair, holding him in place. The firm tugs grounded him, helped him exert control over his feline and push him back.
“More,” she gasped. “That feels so good. Rough yet so good.”
His feline stirred again, making his tongue raspy. Saber slid the tip around and over her clit. Eva gave throaty moans and yanked his hair to a point just shy of pain. He smiled as he pushed a second finger inside her and stroked while licking firmly. Her channel squeezed his fingers. He gave her another firm lick and she cried out.
“Saber!” Her hips twitched and jerked beneath his touch.
Saber stroked her through her climax and removed his fingers once her spasms ceased.
He rose up her body and kissed her, slow and deep. God, he couldn’t get enough of her. Her scent, her taste, the feel of her hands running over his body. He rolled until she sprawled on top of him.
“Take me inside you,” he ordered, his hands grasping her hips in silent demand. When she hesitated, he lifted her. He guided his cock to her cunt and lifted his hips. “Take me inside you!”
She smiled—a siren’s smile as she pushed down and took his cock inside her body. Saber gripped her hips and groaned at the warm heat encircling him. “Damn, that feels so good. You’re so tight and hot.” Mine. All mine. “Move. Don’t tease me. Ride me, kitten.”
Saber helped her set a blistering pace, felt the wet heat around his sensitive tip. He spanned her hips with his hands, allowing the feel of her to ground him even as he pounded upward over and over and took his pleasure. He slipped one finger between her legs and rubbed her clit.
She gasped, and when her sheath tightened around him, he exploded into his climax. His gaze remained fastened on her as he came, and he watched her fly apart, pleasure suffusing her cheeks and tinting even her breasts with delicate color.
She collapsed against his chest and his arms wrapped around her, holding her in place. His possessive manner wasn’t lost on him, but she didn’t seem to notice. Her eyes flutte
red closed and her breathing became slow and regular.
“Kitten, have a wash then I’ll find a safe place for us to sleep while I scout for food.”
She made a noncommittal murmur, and Saber smiled. He parted their bodies and carried her back into the water. He bathed her, washing between her legs while part of him wished neither of them had taken health inoculations to prevent conception. The idea of her swelling with his child was an attractive one and something he hoped would happen in the future.
Hell, this time with Eva might not have been planned, but it felt right on so many levels. Already the idea of parting from her agitated his feline, and didn’t do much for his mood either.
Eva was his. They belonged together. And soon, she’d come to understand the truth of it, just as he did.
Chapter Six
Experience had Eva scanning her surroundings to check for signs of danger before she found a comfortable spot to dry off. She’d washed her shirt and socks and now they were drying in the bright solar shine.
The blue bird followed, settling beside her with a sound that hovered between a contented sigh and a honk.
Eva checked the area again before letting her mind wander. Flying Finnian bats, she hated being out of contact with her assistant. Missed the bustle of her restaurants. Though one thing she didn’t yearn for was the constant specter of her in-laws, while she waited for them to make yet another grabby move for her restaurants. If only she hadn’t been so inexperienced at first. Pryce’s sudden death had left her floundering. She’d made mistakes, and she was still paying for them.
As soon as they reached the resort, she’d take a flight to Dalcon, check out the situation, see where her plans were at, what she needed to do next.
The blue bird got tired of napping and wandered off to gaze on a patch of grass. Eva watched it before her mind wandered again to her plan. She’d saved enough to pay the next installment of the loans taken out to purchase her third restaurant, the one that Pryce had negotiated for before his death.
Wanting to honor her husband, she’d attempted to borrow money herself to make the third restaurant a reality. Pryce’s parents had blocked her attempts to get a loan from a reputable source, and in her desperation, she’d borrowed from a nontraditional one.
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