Page 20 of Can't Get No Satyrfaction

Sylvie stared at the entrance to the shelter as Thorn departed, then sighed.

How had they ended up sleeping together? She’d been disappointed but not surprised when he’d sent her off to bed alone. Even though she was convinced he was as attracted to her as she was to him, he was fighting it tooth and nail. She’d expected to have a hard time falling asleep but she could see him through the opening of the shelter, horns silhouetted against the fire and the knowledge that he was watching over her had sent her straight to sleep.

Waking up in his arms should have shocked her. Instead it had felt perfect, like she belonged right there, pressed against his big strong body. Her heart had skipped as his fingers traced her cheek with impossible gentleness, the touch sparking tingles across her skin.

When he leaned down to kiss her, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes, she didn’t hesitate to meet him halfway. The moment his lips had met hers, her world tilted. He’d kissed her with such intensity, such longing, that her toes had curled with pleasure.Fire streaked through her veins and she wanted more, wanted everything he had to give her.

The previous night’s kiss had been overwhelming enough but this was even better. Her breasts still ached, longing for his touch, and she had every intention of teasing and tempting him until he gave in again.

But now he reappeared in the entrance, his tail lashing, his jaw clenched, and she knew that something was bothering him other than their encounter. He looked down at her, his expression unreadable.

“Poachers in the woods,” he said finally. “It’s not safe to travel far today.”

“Just as well. I’m not sure my ankles are up for a long walk. Unless you were going to carry me again?”

She gave him her most innocent smile and his horns twitched. Actually her ankles felt a hundred times better but she didn’t want to miss the opportunity to tease him. Or the chance to be in his arms.

“I’m taking you to my cabin. It’s secure. Protected. You’ll be safe there until the threat passes.”

His voice was gruff, as if the words were forced out of him, and she sighed. As much as she wanted to see where he lived, she didn’t want him to feel forced into it.

“I could just wait here,” she suggested. “It doesn’t seem like an easy place to find.”

“I will not leave you alone and unprotected.”

She bit her lip at that and he tracked the gesture, his gaze focusing on her mouth. His words sent a flush of warmth through her. He cared, whether he’d admit it or not. The thought made her heart beat faster, but she didn’t want to cause him any more worry than she already had.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “I appreciate that. And it means I have more time to get those perfect shots,” she added, trying to soften that grim face. “Maybe I’ll finally catch your good side.”

His eyes narrowed, but she caught that telltale twitch at the corner of his mouth—the one that meant he was fighting back a smile. “You’re impossible.”

“Part of my charm. You know you love it.”

The words fell into a suddenly charged silence, and his jaw tightened, those dark brows drawing together in a way that made her heart skip another beat. The morning sunlight caught the silver streaks in his hair, making them shimmer like threads of starlight.

“You’ll stay close.” His deep voice sounded as rough as tree bark. “No wandering off.”

The command should have bristled her independent nature, but the worry threading through his words melted something inside her. Her lips curved into a teasing smile.

“What if I have to pee? Will you stand guard for that too?”

His glare sharpened, those green eyes flashing—but his lips quirked again. The almost-smile sent heat coursing through her veins. Her breath caught as his gaze lingered on her face, that spark of reluctant amusement making her skin tingle. His tail flicked, betraying his agitation, and the intensity of his stare heldher captive, those forest-green eyes darkening with an emotion that definitely wasn’t annoyance.

After another charged silence, he stepped away from the entrance.

“Can you walk that far with your crutches?” he asked gruffly.

“I think I can manage.”

She had to fight back a giggle, and he gave her a suspicious look as he handed over the crutches. She hobbled behind a cluster of ferns to take care of her morning needs, rolling her eyes as he hovered just out of sight. When she reached the stream, the icy water shocked her fully awake as she splashed her face and rinsed her hands.

Back at camp, she hopped around the perimeter with her camera, Bront padding beside her like an oversized shadow. The morning light painted everything in gold, transforming ordinary leaves into glittering jewels. Through her lens, she captured drops of dew suspended on spider webs, each one a perfect prism.

“Look at that light, Fluffy.” She scratched behind Bront’s ears, earning a pleased rumble. “Pure magic.”

The click of her shutter filled the air as she documented everything that caught her eye. A shaft of sunlight breaking through the canopy. The delicate bloom of a tiny pink flower. The way moss crept up ancient tree trunks in velvet patterns.

He moved silently around the camp, preparing breakfast, but she caught him watching her more than once. Each time their eyes met, he’d quickly look away.

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