With a sigh of irritation, Kaspyn admitted to herself that she wanted him to kiss her again, which was one of the reasons she’d followed him down the beach to begin with. Who was she kidding, it was the only reason she’d followed him. She’d never experienced a feeling as intense as being in Thrasher’s arms, and she wanted to experience the sensation again.
* * * *
Kaspyn awoke to the smell of something delicious. She rolled over and glanced down at herself. She’d slept in the same position she had fallen asleep in.
Throwing her feet over the side of the bed, she meandered to the doorway and watched as Carmen placed items on a small rectangular table in the front room.
Carmen glanced up before quickly looking away in obvious embarrassment over Kaspyn’s nudity. “I brought you some breakfast.”
Kaspyn moved off to grab her clothes, opting for her sharkskin shorts and vest.
Dressing in the bathroom, Kaspyn donned her boots, ran a brush through her hair, and cleaned her teeth with the strange bristled stick she’d been introduced to.
Kaspyn returned to the front room. “I appreciate you bringing food for me, Carmen.” Though the tiny person in front of her happened to be human, Kaspyn felt drawn to her on some foreign level.
Carmen smiled nervously. “You are so welcome, Princess Kaspyn. Do you mind if I stay while you eat?”
Kaspyn shook her head and ventured over to the couch to take a seat. “You may stay.”
Picking up her fork, Kaspyn tried a bit of everything on her plate. “What is this called?”
“The yellow stuff is scrambled eggs. The round meat is sausage and the two squares on the edge of your plate is toast.”
“And that?” Kaspyn nodded toward the two drinking containers.
“That one is coffee and the other is orange juice.”
“Careful with that!” Carmen blurted as Kaspyn jerked up the one she’d referred to as coffee and brought it to her lips.
Kaspyn bit back a gasp the moment the hot liquid touched her tongue. “It is hot.”
“It’s supposed to be,” Carmen assured her. “You sip it until it cools enough to drink it.”
Kaspyn set the cup down and went about finishing her meal. “How is it that you came to be in Oz’s service?”
A shadow passed through Carmen’s eyes. “I’d been living on the streets for a while when I came across a woman who worked for Mr. Ozele. She told me that she would talk to him about giving me a job with room and board. I didn’t believe her, of course. I’d been lied to more times than I could count. But the woman returned a few days later to let me know that Mr. Ozele wanted me to come in for an interview.”
Kaspyn studied her eyes as she spoke. “Mr. Ozele is Oz?”
“Yes. It’s actually Nicho Ozele, but everyone calls him Oz for short.”
“Go on,” Kaspyn urged, taking another sip of the hot coffee. Something about the flavor appealed to her.
“Mr. Ozele ended up giving me a job at his hotel, along with free room and board. After the hotel burned down, he gave me a small cabin to live in while the hotel is being rebuilt. He also pays me to clean his house and run errands for him and his wife. They have both been very good to me. I owe him my life.”
Kaspyn felt her heart stir at the girl’s words. “Tell me what happened to you.”
A shadow passed through Carmen’s eyes. “My mother was very young when she became pregnant with me. After I was born, she gave me to her parents and ran off. As far as I know, they never heard from her again.”
“Your grandparents raised you?”
Carmen nodded. “My grandfather wasn’t the easiest man to please. His punishments were severe and often. I ran away when I turned sixteen and never looked back. But I soon found out that there were a lot worse things in the world than taking the strap.”
Kaspyn thought about the men’s faces she’d seen in Carmen’s memories. “You were forced.” It wasn’t a question.
Carmen stared at her for a moment before jumping to her feet. “I better get going. I told Mr. Ozele that I would help Maria with some things around the house this morning. She’s just now recovering from her surgery.” And with that, Carmen left.
Kaspyn found she suddenly had no appetite. She stared at the closing door, imagining all the horrific things that Carmen had obviously endured.
Pushing to her feet, Kaspyn picked up her dishes and carried them to the kitchen to rinse them in the sink. She thought about the life of privilege she’d been given and wondered how humans could treat their young the way Carmen had been treated. And Thrasher, her mind whispered. He’d been mistreated as well…
Chapter Seventeen
Thrasher emerged from another meeting with Oz, Tony, Brant, and the Bracadytes. Oz had informed them that he’d met with two of his men earlier in the day to inform them of their so-called plans to seek out Reuben Howell. Oz felt confident that word would travel through the ranks and eventually reach Gerald Kerik.
“I’m going to take the Arkadian males with me to scout around,” Thrasher informed the group. “We have to appear to be searching for Howell if any of this is to be believable. Vaughn? You take Rykaur with you and head south. Gryke? You and Brant head north. Zyen, Pyre and I will move up the middle.”
Brant glanced around. “Where is Kaspyn? I figured she’d be at the meeting.”
Thrasher had wondered the same thing. His mind had been on her annoyingly beautiful ass since he’d crawled out of bed that morning. If he were honest with himself, he hadn’t stop thinking about her since she’d stormed off the beach the night before.
“Carmen took Kaspyn some breakfast this morning,” Oz informed them. “She said the last time she’d seen her, Kaspyn was going for a swim.”
All gazes swung toward the water in time to see Kaspyn emerge, looking like something from every man’s fantasy.
“Damn,” Brant murmured, shielding his eyes from the sun and staring in Kaspyn’s direction.
Thrasher’s muscles tightened in anger. He wanted to choke every male in the group for daring to look at her soaking wet form.
Spinning on his heel, Thrasher signaled for the two Arkadian males to follow him. The last thing he wanted to do was stand there with his tongue hanging out watching Kaspyn’s approach. “She can stay here with Oz, and help keep an eye on the home front.”
It irked Thrasher to see the way Brant had looked at Kaspyn. Not that he blamed the guy. She had to be the most incredibly beautiful woman that Thrasher had ever beheld. Even though she could piss him off faster than anyone he’d ever known.
Pyre and Zyen fell into step beside him. Zyen spoke first. “Should we not wait for Princess Kaspyn to join us?”
“No,” Thrasher snapped, striding toward the tree line. “She’s needed here.”
Pyre glanced back toward the beach. “She will not be pleased about this.”
“Do you think I care?” Thrasher growled. “I’m here to do a job, not babysit some spoiled princess. Now, I suggest you get your heads in the game before you end up losing them.”
Pyre opened his mouth to argue, but was quickly interrupted by Zyen. “No, Pyre. The land walker speaks the truth. We are here for a reason. If we do not destroy these humans that wish us harm, they will destroy us. We do what Thrasher tells us to do. He knows these humans and how they think, we do not.”
More than a little surprised by Zyen’s words, Thrasher stopped at the edge of the trees. “No matter what we run into out there, we stay together. Kerik has more than a hundred men with him at all times. We don’t want to get split up and outnumbered somewhere. Understood?”
Both Arkadians nodded.
“Good,” Thrasher continued. “Weapons check.”
All three pulled their weapons from their holsters and checked the ammunition.
Satisfied that everyone was good to go, Thrasher motioned for them to move out.
They walked for long moments in silence, their gazes scanning the trees for signs of movement
when the sound of a twig snapping ahead caught Thrasher’s attention. He signaled for the Arkadians to stop and then put a finger to his lips for silence.
Pulling his weapon free, Thrasher eased ahead of the Arkadians, putting his body between them and the possible danger that lay ahead.
The click of a hammer being pulled back on a gun ricocheted off the trees and telling Thrasher in no certain terms they were about to be fired upon.
With his gaze scanning the trees in rapid succession, Thrasher spotted a man up ahead with weapon in hand…and that weapon happened to be aimed at Zyen.
Thrasher dove in Zyen’s direction, firing off a shot as he leapt in front of the giant Arkadian.
Pain erupted inside his arm with the force of the bullet that ripped through his skin. He slammed into Zyen hard enough to take the Arkadian to the ground.
Another shot rent the air. Thrasher rolled to his side in time to see Pyre, crouched low and gripping his gun in his hand.
Thrasher jumped to his feet and trotted over to the fallen man wearing fatigues. Though the guy had been shot twice, he still lived.
Pyre abruptly appeared next to him, his pistol raised once again.
“No,” Thrasher ordered, shaking his head. “We’re taking him back alive.”
Holstering his weapon, Pyre bent, jerked the man up and tossed him over his shoulder as if he weighed nothing. “As you wish.”
Zyen inched his way over to Thrasher’s side, a look of confusion in his amber eyes. “You saved my life. You took a bullet meant for me.”
Thrasher brushed off his words. “We need to get out of these woods. If he was with a scout party, they may be close by.”
“You are injured,” Zyen persisted.
“It’s just a scratch. Let’s go.”
Thrasher could sense Zyen’s confusion as if it were his own. Though, he couldn’t read his thoughts, he could feel his emotions.
They three of them emerged from the trees approximately half an hour later to find everyone else running up the beach toward them.
Kaspyn didn’t stop until she reached Thrasher’s side. “You have been shot!”
“I’ll live. But that guy won’t. He’s got two bullets inside him. I need to question him, see what he knows.”
Though Kaspyn glanced in the dying man’s direction, she immediately brought her gaze back to Thrasher. “I would like to see your wound.”
Thrasher noticed Zyen stiffen beside him.
For the life of him, Thrasher would never understand why Zyen’s feelings mattered in that moment. But for some reason, they did. “Like I said, I’ll live.”
Kaspyn narrowed her eyes but didn’t argue. She turned her attention to Pyre. “Put the filthy land walker on the sand.”
Pyre did as she instructed.
Thrasher watched as Kaspyn sauntered over to the injured man, knelt next to him, and laid her palms on either side of his head. Her eyes slid shut.
She stayed in that position for a little over a minute before opening her eyes and giving the guy’s head a short, quick jerk. He died instantly.
Rising to her feet, Kaspyn brushed off her hands and glanced at Zyen. “Bury the dead man in the trees where he will not be found.”
Zyen nodded, strode over and yanked the limp body up without making a sound. He trailed off and disappeared into the tree line.
“Come,” Kaspyn commanded, her gaze on Thrasher. “I will see to your wound and then we will meet everyone in the clubhouse to discuss the human Kerik’s next move.”
And just like that, Thrasher grew hard once again.
Chapter Eighteen
Kaspyn opened the door to her bungalow, stepping back to allow Thrasher entrance. “Sit over there.” She indicated the couch.
Once he was seated, she rounded the rectangular table and lowered herself next to him. She reached for the top button of his shirt.
“I can do that,” Thrasher quietly offered.
Kaspyn met his gaze briefly before returning to the job of removing his shirt. Once all the buttons were freed of their holes, she leaned in, slipped the material off his shoulders and down his muscular arms. Ah but he smells good.
Her gaze skimmed across his bare chest only to be fascinated by the dusting of hair on its surface.
It took effort to pull her attention away from his magnificent form to have a look at his injury. The wound looked angry red and would need to be stitched up. “You were very fortunate that it grazed you instead of penetrating your shoulder.”
Thrasher’s sweet breath fanned the side of her face. “I told you it was fine.”
A knock sounded on the door.
“Enter,” Kaspyn called, glancing up.
The door opened and Zyen ducked into the room. “Why would you take a bullet that was meant for me?”
Kaspyn took in the disbelief swimming in Zyen’s eyes. “What are you saying?”
Zyen nodded toward Thrasher. “The land walker saved my life.”
Kaspyn’s heart turned over in her chest. She slowly turned on the couch to face Thrasher. “But why? I thought you disliked us.”
“I don’t dislike you,” Thrasher bit out. “Either of you. Can we please not talk about this right now? I’d rather discuss what you found out from the asshole that shot me.”
Kaspyn stared at Thrasher for a moment longer before getting to her feet. “I will sew up your wound first and then we will talk.”
She stopped on her way to the door and faced Zyen. “Go tell the others that we will meet them in the clubhouse as soon as I am finished here.”
Zyen nodded and turned to go. He stopped on the porch and poked his head back inside. His mouth opened and closed a couple of times before he muttered, “My thanks.” The door closed behind him.
Kaspyn realized how hard those two words must have been for Zyen to utter. She also knew how much he despised the land walkers. Thrasher had obviously gained Zyen’s respect.
She glanced back at the human in question on her way outside. Yeah, he’d gained her respect as well.
“Where are you going?” Thrasher called as she pushed open the door.
“To catch a fish so that I can sew your injury.”
Thrasher got to his feet, his eyebrows slightly raised and humor sparking in his eyes. “You’re going to stitch me up with a grouper?”
He must be daft, Kaspyn decided, taking a patient breath. “Of course not. But I will need a fishbone and some strips of his skin.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Shaking her head, Kaspyn let go of the door and stepped out onto the porch.
Thrasher followed. “This is the twenty-first century. We do have things like needle and thread now.”
She thought about his words for a second. “I do not understand.”
A chuckle came from his throat. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
He stepped from the porch, shirtless and too handsome for words, waving for Kaspyn to follow him.
She caught up with him in a few short strides. “You do not trust me to know what to do?”
His steps faltered, but he continued on toward Oz’s house. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, Kaspyn, but by the time you swim out, catch a fish, remove its bones and some skin, the wound will be healed.”
Was that more laughter she heard in his voice? “You mock me.”
That stopped him in his tracks. “I’m sorry. I was only teasing you. I meant no disrespect, and I appreciate you trying to help me.”
They arrived at Oz’s place, and Thrasher rapped on the door. It opened a minute later and Carmen’s face appeared.
“Hi, Carmen,” Thrasher began. “Does Oz have a sewing kit or a first aid kit around here anywhere?”
Carmen’s gaze immediately went to the blood trickling down Thrasher’s arm. “One second.”
She disappeared from view for a moment before returning with a white metal box. “Do you need me to stitch you up?”
Kaspyn felt her barbs tingle with venom. She re
ached out and took the box from the tiny human. “I will do it.”
“Thank you, Carmen.” Thrasher flashed the female a smile that sent more blood rushing to Kaspyn’s barbs.
Kaspyn gripped him by his injured arm and fairly yanked him away from the doorstep.
A hiss burst from his lips. “Easy there, Princess. I’m going to need that arm.”
“Then I suggest you make your way back to my bungalow and stop attempting to mate with the tiny human.”
Another laugh erupted from his chest. “Mate with her? Is that how it’s done in Arkadia? Because here in the real world, that’s called being polite.”
“It matters not to me. Once I have sewn your wound closed, you may go do whatever you want to do.”
Arriving in front of her bungalow, Kaspyn bounded up onto the porch, yanked the door open, and hurried inside.
Thrasher entered behind her.
“You’re jealous,” he accused, closing the door and pushing his mirrored lenses up on top of his head.
Kaspyn was tempted to slap the knowing look off his face. “You think me jealous? I—“
“Shut up, Kaspyn.”
He was on her before she could form a response. He gripped her by the arms and jerked her to him. “Just…shut up.”
His mouth covered hers.
Chapter Nineteen
Thrasher had never been more annoyed or turned on in all his life. One minute he wanted to snatch up the infuriating princess and tan her hide, and the next, he wanted nothing more than to taste her sweet lips. And taste them he did.
She stiffened in his arms, a sound of outrage echoing in the back of her throat. Her hands came up to push against his chest, only to end up caressing him instead.
Her body suddenly relaxed, and she opened for him, her tongue greedily seeking his.
Thrasher felt his shaft throbbing behind the zipper of his pants, straining to be freed. He wanted Kaspyn, wanted her with every fiber of his being.
He backed her toward her bedroom, following her down as her legs came up against the bed.
Thrasher: Science Fiction Romance (Enigma Series Book 9) Page 7