“Head injuries always bleed a lot.Jannike bled all over the bridge because she didn’t have her safety harness on and slammed into the wall.”
“Ouch,” Ellard said.“That’s why you should—”
“Always wear a safety harness,” Gweneth finished for him.“That’s what Ry says.”
“How did you meet Ry and the others?”
She hesitated, uncharacteristic for her, since she usually sprayed her words everywhere without much apparent forethought.
“You don’t have to tell me.”He eased her up a fraction and attempted to wind the makeshift bandage around her head.
“I can hold the end.”Her small fingers covered his, and the muscles of his arm tensed.
He inhaled sharply, fighting the surge of lust that grabbed him by the nuts.Such an innocent touch, but now that she’d kissed him, allowed him to kiss her, his mind kept diverting to thoughts of closer contact.Sex.“I… All right.”He withdrew his fingers, his feline snarling through his mind in protest.“Let me put the bandage in the right place.”He did and gently pressed her fingers in position.“Hold that there, and I’ll wind the bandage into place.”
Between the pair of them, they positioned the bandage, and with her help, he fashioned a knot to hold it in position.With the bandage secured, Ellard turned his mind to the next step.
The endless expanse of forest offered little in the way of shelter, but there was no way they could venture into a glade, not with those tube plants.They required a steady stream of whitelight, or else they would’ve followed them.Unless something else in these forests kept the plants confined to the clearing.The heavy weight of responsibility had him scanning the trees, casting out his feline senses to detect trouble.
This easy and quick jaunt to Narenda had turned into an adventure.A flash of humor struck him at a recollection of him telling Jarlath he enjoyed routine.Jarlath’s change of behavior had rattled him, yet he had to admit—despite the danger and the radical life changes—he did enjoy adventure.
“How is the head?Do you think you can walk, or do you want me to carry you?”
“It would be better if I could move.I need to try.I’m slowing our progress.Besides, we don’t know what creatures wander the forest during the blacklight.We need to find a place to hole up for safety.”
“Kiss her.”
The soft voice offered temptation, and Ellard froze.His gaze cut to Gweneth.No, she hadn’t heard.He frowned in indecision.Somehow, his feline must be sending him messages.Either that or they had invisible company.
Still, a kiss wasn’t a bad idea.Gweneth deserved one, given her pragmatism and sensible reaction to their situation.Before he could talk himself out of the idea, he bent over her and kissed her pink, tempting lips.
She never hesitated, kissing him back, enticing him to linger and savor.When his brain began to work, he lifted his chin.For a long sec, they stared at each other.
She swallowed, and her tongue darted out to soothe her full bottom lip.“Um, what was that for?”
“A thank you,” he said gruffly.“You’re injured, yet you’re not panicking.Instead, you produce a knife from your boot.Thank you for not behaving like one of the castle ninnies.”
“Ninnies?”A smile curved her lips, drawing his avid attention.“Ellard?”
“Kiss her again.Please.”
The small voice sounded close to his ear.Not his imagination.
He closed the distance between him and Gweneth.“I think we have company,” he breathed against her lips.“I’m going to kiss you again.Watch behind me to see if you can see anyone.”
He didn’t give Gweneth time to reply, settling in to kiss her.He’d previously restrained himself and kept the kisses as innocent as she’d allowed him.This time, he sank into the pleasure and gave her one of his very best, using every bit of technique he’d learned since he became sexually mature.
Gweneth responded so sweetly, her soft groan like a caress down his back and over his arse.A shudder worked through him as she opened to him.Unable to resist, he explored the silken depths of her mouth.Her tongue danced with his, and she issued another sexy moan.
When he pulled back, they were both breathing hard.
His gaze darted to her mouth.Her lips appeared redder than normal and swollen.A sense of satisfaction suffused him.“Did you see anyone?”
A flush collected in her cheeks.“Sorry.My eyes closed.I couldn’t help myself.Can you help me up?I can’t see anyone.”
“Sheera?Leeam?”Ellard swung in a slow circle but saw nothing but trees.“Maybe it’s my imagination.Give me your hand, and I’ll pull you up.”
“No.I need to crawl to my feet.Just hold on to my arm and help me balance.”As she spoke, she rolled and used her arms to push to a crouch.
