He unwrapped his arms from her, Margot peeling her muddy body free of his with a sticky schlurping noise.
“Who would have guessed they had it right inPredator,” she mused, looking at the mud all over her body.
“What isPredator?”
“I’ll tell you later. So, what now? They’re not going to stop looking, you know.”
“Then we leave this area,” he said, sweeping her up in his arms as if she weighed nothing.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“They set traps. Traps you do not know how to avoid. That, and you are exhausted, and we are in no position to dawdle. It will be faster this way. Hang on.”
He took off at a run, carrying her as easily as an infant, his mountain man physique uniquely well adapted for this sort of unusual, parkour-like activity. He vaulted logs, crossed streams, ducked branches, and ran up, down, and around hill after hilluntil Margot had nearly lost track of time. And not once did he stop to rest. Not until they arrived at a waterfall pouring out from a mound nestled in the trees, the slick rocks towering several stories above them.
“Hey, I recognize this place.”
“Yes. You have been here before. Come.”
He took her hand in his and led her against the stone wall behind the waterfall until they were safely in the hidden passageway. A few moments later they emerged in the beautiful tranquility of the hidden pool.
“We will be safe here,” he said, striding into the pool, shedding his clothes as he walked.
Holy shit,she gasped, marveling at his physique yet again. The first time she’d only caught a glimpse before startling him as he bathed in the stream. But now? Now she could properly appreciate his swimmer’s build. Broad-shoulders and powerful arms. A chiseled ass and thick legs, muscular and hard from countless hours hiking, running, and climbing in these woods.
Then there was the not so little matter of his remarkable cock. It was thick and long, but relatively human looking once you got over the natural ribbing running around it from the base of his shaft to the head.
Braxxos submerged in the water, the cloud of muddiness flowing away quickly with the current as he scrubbed his body clean, washing his clothes with a few quick moves of his hands in the process. He stood up and turned, striding back toward his unexpected guest.
Margot tried not to stare, but it was kind of impossible not to watch the water streaming off his cock as it ran down his body. It was distracting, to say the least, despite the situation she’d just been in.
He looked at her a moment, still clothed, still on the shallow shoreline. Braxxos quickly gathered up his clothing, giving a little bow.
“My apologies. It was thoughtless of me. I will leave you to yourself.”
“It’s okay. I just?—”
“You desire privacy, of course. Again, my apologies. I will be waiting on the other side of the waterfall. Please, take your time. You are safe here, but if you need me, just call. I am but seconds away. And, if you are hungry, there is a small basket of food over there.”
Without another word he turned and strode off, giving her a very nice view of his perfect ass as he walked into the dark passageway, leaving her completely alone. She didn’t know why, exactly, but she trusted him completely. There would be no peeking. She was the only one there.
Margot waded into the water, stripping as she did, submerging to her neck, then finally dunking her head entirely, scrubbing her hair of the dried mud and muck from their hiding place and subsequent flight.
Standing tall, the water running down her body felt amazing, her new rune tattoos refreshed and invigorated. She also found her nipples strangely hard, and not from any breeze or cold water. Was it watching Braxxos in all his glory?
No way. It’s just got to be my new pigment acting up for whatever reason. I mean, look at that stuff. It’s almost got a little glow to it. Absolutely wild. I never wanted tattoos, and now this? Well screw you, Gromm. It’s mine now, you son of a bitch, and I’m damn sure never giving it back… if that would even be possible.
Margot waded to the basket and ate her fill, her body absolutely singing with joy with every bite. Then, her clothes wet but clean and her body refreshed, she headed for the exitpassageway, wondering what was happening back in Gromm’s camp. What Rylinn had been told about her disappearance. Wondering what would become of her now.
“No sense dwelling onwhat ifs,” she told herself. “Time to get out there and live in thewhat now.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Margot followed without question as Braxxos led her through the woods from his secret waterfall hideout. He moved calmly and fluidly, his body at ease now that they were back on familiar ground.
He walked to the large tree she recognized from her prior visit and pulled the vine, dropping the ladder. He gave a tiny bow and stepped aside, allowing her to ascend first then following behind and pulling it up after them. She went and got them both cups of water from where she knew he kept them, then sat on one of his hand-woven cushions, resting her weary legs.
She’d only spent a short time in his treehouse previously, but it was actually a relief being back here, she realized. Braxxos had carried her farther and faster than she’d initially thought in her stunned and panicked state. Between the dangerous situation on the scouting ship and its crash, Margot’s senses had been a bit overwhelmed. Then throw in fleeing for her life and you had a trifecta of distracting stimuli.
