Page 25 of Bradi

Chapter Ten

Marisa glared at Bradi’s back as he walked ahead of her. They’d been walking all day and she was exhausted. Finally giving in to her aching body’s demands, she sat on the forest floor.

Closing her eyes, she tried once again to get her embedded med chip to work. “Scan body for signs of infection.”

The chip clicked on and then instantly fizzled out.

“Doc?”

Peeking out of one eye, she growled when she saw Bradi standing close to her. She lay back on the ground and didn’t care what crawled on her. She was tired and needed to sleep.

“We can’t stop here. It’s not safe,” Bradi said, touching her leg lightly. “Are you going to talk to me? This silent treatment is getting old.”

He was right. The last time she’d talked to him was by the bathing pool close to ten days ago, and it had been hell staying silent. “Fine. What is it you’d like to talk about? Care to tell me how you always seem to know when something is stalking us or how you know so much about this planet?”

Bradi grew still and she gave him a fake smile.

“That’s what I thought. I’m tired, Lieutenant Commander, and I need some sleep. I’ve contracted a bug on this planet you seem to be such an expert on, and all I want to do is go home.”

“You need to eat.”

The thought of eating turned her stomach. “I can’t. Every time I put something in my mouth, it comes right back up.”

“Gee, if we only knew a healer,” he said wryly.

She sat up fast and glared at him. “Say what’s on your mind, Janelle.”

Touching her cheek, he gave her a wide smile. “You’re even more beautiful when you’re angry.”

Stunned by his words, she turned her head. “Well, considering I only have you to keep me company, that must mean I’m drop-dead gorgeous all the time, since you pretty much have me in a permanent state of pissed off.”

“Yes, you are gorgeous all the time,” he said, as if that cleared up everything.

She was too tired to argue with him anymore. Her body ached and her stomach was in a knot. Sinking back onto the forest floor, she closed her eyes. “Please, Bradi. I need to rest.”

“I know, baby.”

Marisa wasn’t sure if it was the please, but he finally agreed to let her rest.

When his arms pushed under her, she let out a yelp.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

He smiled down at her as he lifted her into the air. “I’m carrying you. I told you that it’s not safe to stop here and I meant it.”

Rolling her eyes, she pushed on his chest. “Put me down. I’ll walk.”

He pulled her closer, allowing her to take in his manly scent. “I kind of like holding you, and you’re right—you need to rest.”

Opening her mouth to protest, Marisa stopped when she saw the muscles in his neck moving. Fire shot through her body and she had the craziest urge to slide her tongue over the beating pulse in his neck. Wanting to lick a man all over wasn’t a feeling she was used to, and it scared her. Pride made her want to walk, but fatigue and fear were in control now.

Unable to fight it anymore, she lay her head on his chest and closed her eyes. She’d never admit it to him, but she kind of liked that he was holding her too.

*

Bradi ran with Marisa in his arms. It was better that she slept. It meant that he could shift partially and travel faster. He kept a close eye on her to monitor her sleeping. The last thing he needed was for her to wake up and find him covered in a coating of black fur and his eyes glowing yellow. Somehow, he didn’t think she’d take too kindly to that.

He’d spent ten days trying to think of creative ways to tell her that she carried his child and was his wife in the eyes of his people. Nothing seemed to be good enough and regardless of what he decided to do, he knew he’d lose her.

Marisa was out of his league.

And while he’d claimed her, she’d not done so to him.

The fierce need to protect her, be near her, provide for her and love her was all consuming. He knew he’d never be able to let her go but that, in the end, she’d undoubtedly demand to leave. She could. He couldn’t make her stay with him. She wasn’t a shifter. She wouldn’t recognize a shifter union.

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