LIV
I would givemy life to protect you.
Mastorr’s noble words echoed in my head for the remainder of the day.
We both stayed inside. With the wind howling and the snow pelting the windows, I was glad he didn’t venture out again. The cabin was warm, though when I checked the solar power reserves, I realized that unless the sun came out for at least an hour in the near future, we would have to fire up the woodstove.
To keep myself occupied after dinner, I grabbed a book from the general’s library and curled up on the couch. Meanwhile, Mastorr moved from room to room, checking the sturdiness of all the windows, as well as the front and back doors. He also kept peering out windows and constantly sniffed the air.
I understood he was trying to keep me safe, but his constant back and forth to the windows and doors was making me nervous. Each time his foot creaked over one of the loose boards in the hallway, I lost my concentration and found myself reading the same paragraphs over and over.
Eventually, I set the book aside—a historical romance novel that I assumed had belonged to the general’s lady friend—and ventured into the kitchen to make some tea. Mastorr followed close behind.
“Are you hungry, sweet one? I would gladly find some food for you. Would you like some fresh pokklam berries? I could go pick some and be back soon.” His expression was so hopeful that I almost accepted his offer. Just because I knew if I said ‘yes,’ he would display a broad toothy grin before eagerly rushing outside.
But I couldn’t let him go out in the storm. Even if his fur kept him plenty warm, I didn’t like the idea of him out in the dark by himself. What if the storm disoriented him and he got lost?
“No need to go outside. I’m not hungry, Mastorr, but thank you for offering. I just came in here to make some tea. Would you like some? I found some honey in one of the cabinets. It’s quite good with honey.”
He appeared thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, thank you, Liv. I will try your tea. It is kind of you to prepare a beverage for me.” His eyes glowed briefly, and I supposed that meant he was feeling affectionate toward me.
In fact, I’d noticed a pattern when it came to his glowing eyes. When he treated me with gentleness and showed me affection, they glowed. When that big, hulking cock of his stood at attention, they also glowed.
“Great,” I said. “I’ll make us some tea and we can chill in the living room until bedtime. Maybe you can tell me more about your tribe.” I wanted to learn more about him and his people, but I also wanted him to stop pacing the cabin.
To my delight, he liked the tea I brought him. After the first sip, his eyes rolled back in his head, his expression turning euphoric. I couldn’t help but wonder if he would make a similar face while in the throes of passion. Would his eyes roll back in his head as he came inside me? And would he growl low in his throat, or would he release a savage roar?
His nostrils kept flaring, and his cock became semi-hard, making me suspect he could smell my growing arousal. Of course he could. Would he knock on my bedroom door and make me another offer tonight?
Would I accept that offer?
I’d be lying if I claimed I wasn’t tempted.
The second I noticed he’d finished his tea, I downed the rest of mine in three huge gulps, then jumped up to take our empty cups to the kitchen. I needed a minute to think. To cool down. After setting the cups in the sink, I opened the fridge and stuck my face inside.
Burning. I was burning with need. If I didn’t calm down, I might end up doing something with Mastorr I would come to regret. If we went any further than kissing, leaving him would be more difficult.
Even if I fell in love with him, I couldn’t stay. Not when Mountain would know my general location. I wouldn’t put it past him to scour the forests in a fifty-mile perimeter as he searched for me.
What was happening in my absence back in Seattle? Was he no longer chummy with the various rebel factions? I doubted he’d found another way to pull in thousands of galactic credits every night. Without me, he was likely struggling to make ends meet. He wouldn’t be flush with enough cash to donate to the rebels.
It was snowing. Hard. And according to Mastorr, it probably wouldn’t let up for a couple of days. Even if Mountain wanted to take a hovercraft here, I doubted he would find a pilot willing to fly in this weather anytime soon. Plus, hovercraft rides weren’t cheap.
I closed my eyes and allowed the coolness of the fridge to soothe the edges of my agitation.
I’m safe, I’m safe, I’m safe.
Mountain can’t reach me right now.
General Remington will likely help me once I contact him.
Mastorr is as sweet as can be and won’t harm a hair on my head.
It’s all good. I just need to survive the next few days without inviting the sexy Sasquatch to hop aboard.
I closed the fridge and ran a hand through my long locks. Mastorr was probably wondering what was taking me so long. If I didn’t return to the living room soon, he would come looking for me. So, I headed back down the hallway.
His eyes glowed briefly when I entered the living room, and his joy at seeing me caused me to feel all sorts of emotions I didn’t need complicating my life.