Page 34 of Infala: The Bonding Games
She took it as stoically as she could, letting it soak in, and as the pain reduced, her distraction faded with it. And with clarity of mind she felt her anger shift to disbelief, then to confusion and frustration. This whole situation was a revelation to her, but to learn she’d been thrown in to this mess at a disadvantage was adding insult to injury. A realization hit her.
“Do you think they did this to Maria as well?”
Dorrin remained silent for a moment as he applied the healing salve. “This was no mistake,” he said softly. “I would all but guarantee they did the same to her.”
“Bastards.”
“Though they were not born out of wedlock, I believe I understand your sentiment, and I agree. Now turn.”
She did as he asked, facing him as he gently rubbed the last of the salve onto the smaller burns on her flanks and arms. His forearm grazed across her nipple as he worked, sending electricjolts of ridiculously strong pleasure through her body, making her jerk involuntarily.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked, actually seeming concerned for once.
“No, I-I’m fine,” she stammered, her body tingling as her endorphins blended with the healing gel’s sensation-enhancing properties.
It seemed to not only reduce the bad stuff, but also improve the good, and the heat abruptly blossoming between her legs was downright distracting, especially as she glanced down and caught sight of his beautiful cock, her mouth salivating slightly in spite of herself.
“I’m almost done.”
“It’s okay,” she said, more than a little conflicted and confused by what she was feeling.
He worked quickly, stepping back to look at his handiwork before applying a new dab to his fingers and starting in on his own burns. Ziana looked at him with renewed focus. She’d been so aware of her own injuries that she hadn’t even considered that this seemingly indestructible man could be hurt.
“Wait, you’re burned?”
“It’s nothing.”
“You got burned protecting me?” she blurted, realizing this had happened when he put himself between her and the flames. “You didn’t say anything.”
“There was nothing to say. I must have a partner to win, it is that simple.”
Ziana heard his words, but she didn’t believe that he was that callous for a minute. She reached for the small container of gel in his hand. “Give me that. Let me?—”
“Leave it. I can do it myself.”
Ziana realized somewhere in her mind that she should probably do precisely that, leaving him to his own devices. Buther body was absorbing the gel, and it was affecting her in more ways than just soothing the burn. She wasn’t thinking quite straight, but she didn’t care.
She reached out and grabbed the container, pulling against his iron grip. “Let me. I owe you.”
He glared at her, but she locked eyes with him and did not back down. Incredibly, his gaze softened at the corners. Was that a hint of amusement? Respect? Whatever it was, he loosened his fingers, surrendering to her wishes without another word.
Ziana set to work, examining his body, running her fingers over his rock-hard muscles as she applied the gel to his injuries. He felt as though he’d been chiseled from stone, but his body was anything but cold. He radiated heat in a way that made her arousal spike even more in spite of her best efforts to control her very inappropriate thoughts.
“Why do you put yourself through this?” she asked, trying to distract herself with conversation.
“Because I must.”
“But you said they cheat. It’s a fixed game. I thought you pretty much couldn’t win.”
“That does not mean I will not try,” her replied with resolve.
Ziana continued her work, pondering this unusual man while savoring the feel of his skin.
“That’s enough,” he said as her hands lingered on his flank, pulling away. “Now we eat. Food is in the kitchen and I, for one, do not feel like dining with the others.”
“Me neither,” she agreed, putting down the small container.
“Then it’s decided. We eat, then we sleep. We both deserve the rest.”
