Page 16 of Sweet Giant

“Danger? What kind of danger?”

“My husband forced me to heal people for money, and he charged an exorbitant amount for my services. If someone couldn’t pay, he wouldn’t let me help them. Furthermore, he forced me to work every night for long hours, until I became weak and sick. I am glad the touch healers in your tribe aren’t being used the same way I was.” My throat tightened with emotion. I couldn’t believe I was telling Mastorr about my troubles, confessing some of my darkest secrets.

I’d spent so long convincing myself that I wanted to be alone, but I was starting to enjoy his company. It also felt good to unburden my soul and talk about one of the reasons I’d left Mountain.

Mastorr tensed, and his nostrils flared. “If I ever encounter the evil man again, I will make him suffer. I will give him the slow yet brutal death that he deserves.” He scooted closer and reached toward me, only to immediately retract his hand as he no doubt recalled my aversion to being touched.

Why did it bother me more when hedidn’ttouch me? Why couldn’t I stop thinking about crawling into his lap and letting him hold me? He’d carried me into the house with great care, his embrace warm and strong.

At this moment, I wanted nothing more than to throw myself into his arms.

Tears pricked in my eyes when I tried to remember the last time anyone had hugged me. I came up empty. Mountain had never been much of a hugger, but even so, his occasional fake apology hugs didn’t count. My mind reeled as I realized Nana was probably the last person to hug me, and she’d died over five years ago.

Seven months after her passing, I’d inadvertently brought a puppy back from the brink of death. A year after that, I’d met Mountain, resulting in my life taking one hell of a shitty turn.

“Are you able to heal your own injuries?” he asked with a glance at my swollen lip.

I shook my head. “No. I wish I could, and I have tried many times, but it has never worked. What about the touch healers from your tribe? Are they able to heal themselves?”

“None of the healers from my tribe are able to heal themselves. Their touch can only help others.” A thoughtful look came over him. “Aside from your eyes, you look very human. Have you ever met a Vaxxlian? And do all Vaxxlians possess healing abilities, or only a select few?”

“I have glimpsed Vaxxlians in a crowd and seen images of them, of course, but I have never spoken to one. Male Vaxxlians come to Earth frequently to obtain mates since they lost most of their females in a great war. But most Vaxxlians aren’t touch healers. The doctor who tested my blood told me that healing powers are quite rare among their people. He also warned me to never tell a soul about my abilities—he said I needed to be careful because people would want to use me for their own selfish purposes. I wish I’d listened to him—at least when it came to Mountain.”

Mastorr placed a hand over his heart and gave me a solemn look. “I vow that you will not be exploited for your healing abilities when you come to live among my people, sweet Liv. You will be highly respected. However, if you are still worried, we don’t need to reveal your healing abilities to my people right away, or perhaps not ever. If you want to keep it a secret, that is understandable, and I will respect your wishes.”

My heart contracted. Could he be any sweeter?

Except… crap. I couldn’t let him get away with talking like I was going to mate with him and live among his people. I needed to reinforce my desire to remain single and live alone.

“Look, Mastorr, I appreciate that you’ll keep my healing abilities a secret if I ask you to, but you need to understand something—I will never agree to mate with you, nor will I agree to live in your tribe. I’m staying here. In this cabin.” No need to tell him about my plan to break into another cabin and use a video comm to contact General Remington. No need to admit that I likely wouldn’t be here for much longer.

“As long as I feel it’s safe to remain in this location, I will stay with you in this cabin, Liv,” he said after a long silence, “until you agree to mate with me. I am confident you will change your mind. We are in the courting process right now, and I suppose I cannot expect you to agree to mate with me after only one day of courting—even if you keep admiring certain parts of my body.”

Before I could stop myself, my gaze fell to his crotch. Again. I huffed and looked away, increasingly frustrated with myself. Heat abruptly surged to my core, a delicious pulsing sensation that preceded a full body flush, and I nearly gasped with the realization that Mastorr was getting me all hot and bothered.

“It’s late,” I said as I rose to my feet. I quickly shoved the remaining items in the dishwasher and pressed start. Then I headed for the stairs, not allowing myself to glance over my shoulder at Mastorr. “I’m going to bed. Good night.”

I rushed upstairs, my heart racing a mile a minute, the achiness between my thighs deepening, as I wondered if he would follow. I also wondered how I would respond if he did.

Chapter13

MASTORR

My beautiful fatedmate was warming up to me. I was certain of it. At least on a physical level, that was.

Not only had I repeatedly caught her staring at my shaft, but shortly after dinner, in the reflection of a mirror hanging on the living room wall, I witnessed her openly gawking at my buttocks, all the while unaware that I was watching her.

Bending over earlier in the evening to show her my backside and scrotum, when I’d paused to pick up the shoes, had no doubt made her eager for another look.

Females were usually attracted to males with a large scrotum, as it was considered a sign of virility. While I didn’t consider myself vain, I couldn’t help but take pride in the fact that my balls were much larger than those of most of my fellow tribesmen. Liv could rest assured that I would be able to plant my seed in her womb many times.

How many children would we have? I hoped for at least five. Longing filled me as I envisioned her stomach becoming swollen with our first babe.

I listened to her rapid footsteps as she hurried upstairs. Just before she’d departed the kitchen, I’d detected the scent of her arousal, the telltale slickness that had grown between her thighs. It was the most delicious aroma I’d ever inhaled.

My muscles tensed and my cock went rigid. I rose to my feet and started to follow my female, only to pause at the bottom of the steps as doubts assailed me.

More than once, she had proclaimed that she would not agree to mate with me. I still believed she would eventually change her mind—surely the Great Spirit wouldn’t have led me to her otherwise—but if I wasn’t as patient with her as I’d promised to be, would that cause a setback between us?

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