More stories from the clerk sped through my mind. Especially his comments about Bigfoot liking the way a human woman smelled when she was ovulating.It’s nature. Their drive to procreate.
My breath caught in my throat as the beast came closer. God, he was freaking huge. Nearly a foot taller than Mountain, who was the tallest human I’d ever met.
The Sasquatch’s muscular body was covered in brownish silver fur, and just like the clerk said, he had a remarkably human-like face. At least I thought so until his pale blue eyes started glowing.
He wore no clothing, and I couldn’t help but glance at the enormous appendage that swung slightly with his movements. I swallowed hard. He wasn’t erect and I thought it was massive. How huge would he get if he became sexually aroused?
What was wrong with me? Why was I entertaining indecent thoughts about a forest beast? Not just any forest beast, but aSasquatch. A creature that wasn’t supposed to exist.
When he came within a few feet of me, I gasped and tried to scramble back in the dirt. “Please don’t touch me! Please go away!”
He paused mid-step, his visage filling with concern. Such a human-like expression. He knelt before me and his gaze traveled over my entire body, as though he were inspecting me for injuries.
Or maybe he was trying to decide whether I might taste good.
His surprisingly clean, masculine scent hit me, a mix of earthiness, pine, and… oddly enough, mint. We stared at one another for a few seconds before he cleared his throat and said, “Are you hurt badly, human female?”
What? He wanted to know ifIwas injured? He was the one who’d taken blaster fire. Three times. I peered at the scorched areas on his arm and chest. Guilt panged inside me. Was he in a great deal of pain?
“I-I’m fine,” I eventually answered. Physically, I was okay. Just a tad scratched up, and my scalp ached from having my hair pulled so hard. Oh, and my mouth felt swollen. However, compared to how severely Mountain had hurt me in the past, this was nothing.
The Sasquatch glanced at the sky with a frown, then returned his gaze to me. The concern in his eyes deepened. “You are shaking with the cold, and the storm is only going to get worse.” He nodded at the cabin. “I would like to get you inside where it will be warmer. May I… carry you?” He started to reach for me, but when I yelped, he backed off and refrained from touching me.
“As I have already told you, human female,” he said in a gentle but deep, rumbling tone, “I will not hurt you. I give you my word. But you must get out of the elements. You look as though you’re freezing, and I do not wish for any harm to come to you.”
My mind reeled. Not only was I talking to a Sasquatch, but for some reason, he was concerned for my welfare.
“I-I think I can walk.” My stomach flipped. No, I didn’t think I could walk. But I had to try. I couldn’t allow him to touch me. The idea of any man—or male beast—putting his hands on me left me uneasy.
The creature nodded before rising to his feet. He took one step back, giving me room to get up. My face flushed with shame when I struggled to rise on my own. Even worse, I was trembling so hard, I feared I might go into shock.
“Please allow me to help you,” the beast said, his tone ever gentle.
I peered up at him as my grasp on reality faded further. Logically, I knew I couldn’t stay out here in the open. It was getting colder, darker, and the snow was now pelting my face. Was this really happening? Am I here? Am I the person in this body? Cold. I was so cold.
Using the last of my strength, I nodded my assent, granting the Sasquatch permission to assist me into the cabin. What other choice did I have?
He scooped me up in his huge, muscular arms and carried me inside. He had to duck and twist his body to the side in order to fit through the door frame. Well over seven feet tall. I still couldn’t believe how massive he was.
Though his fur was wet from the snow, his body was surprisingly warm. My cheek pressed against his chest.Thump thump thump. I could hear his heart beating, and somehow, this grounded me. Kept the final threads of my sanity from snapping, kept me from being swallowed up by the coldness.
He shut the door and brought me into the living room, where he placed me on a large plush sofa and immediately drew a blanket over my trembling form. He made to stroke my cheek, but I flinched and made a pathetic noise in my throat. He dropped his hand and lowered himself to the floor beside the couch. Beside me.
“My name is Mastorr.” His deep voice vibrated through me and calmed me as much as his heartbeat had. “I promise that I will protect you and take care of you, my sweet one, until the end of my days.”
Chapter6
MASTORR
It wasdifficult to refrain from touching the pretty human. I wanted to hold her in my arms again and inhale her intoxicating feminine scent. I wanted to nuzzle my nose to hers and feel her warm breath fanning my cheeks.
But she was afraid of me, and when we were outside, she’d asked me not to touch her. The only reason she’d allowed me to carry her inside was because she’d been unable to stand on her own. Forcibly touching her would likely frighten her more, and I wanted her to feel safe in my presence.
How long until she trusted me?
“What is your name?” I asked.
She blinked rapidly a few times and swallowed hard. “Liv.”