Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
There’s a lot to be done. I hug I’rec’s arm to my chest a moment longer, pep-talking myself, and then I wriggle out of our makeshift bed.
I’rec immediately tries to drag me down again, kissing my shoulder. “Come ride my face again, my pretty one,” he murmurs, clearly randy this morning despite nutting inside me three times last night. “I will make it quick.”
I plant a hand on his face, chuckling when he makes a licking gesture. “There’s too much to do, and they’ll think we’re major perverts if we start fucking again.”
“They will not,” I’rec declares sleepily, squeezing my tit. “And the taters will be jealous.”
I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from bursting into laughter. At some point I’m going to have to tell him that they’re gladiators, not taters, but it’s too damn funny to correct. It just makes me love him all the more, and my heart bubbles over with happiness. Is this what it’s like to be mated? To just wake up grinning and ready to take on the world every day?
I’ve always considered myself a happy person, but with I’rec, I feel like I’m bubbling over with joy. Like I’ve got so much inside me I’m about to start shitting rainbows and glitter.
No wonder everyone that resonates walks around with dopey looks on their faces. I get it now.
Even though I’rec cleaned both of us up after sex last night, I give myself a quick wash again, using the last of my water. The tent reeks of sex and I’m pretty sure it’s clinging to my skin. I dress quickly, noticing that I’rec is putting on his clothes too, though he’s moving slower than me. His hair is in his face, and I brush it back from his forehead affectionately. “You want me to fix it for you again?”
He nods. “I like it like that. I like that you have chosen it for me.”
I grin and hunt through the makeshift tent, looking for the strip of leather that holds his man-bun in place. If it were any other dude, the man-bun would look ridiculous, but I’rec is so goddamn macho that he carries it really well. And maybe I’m a possessive sort too, because I like that he likes the hairstyle I “chose” for him.
When I go to leave the tent, I’rec swats my ass with the tip of his tail. “I am tapping it again,” he calls out. “Because it is mine.”
I burst into laughter, and I’m giggling as I emerge. Fifteen faces turn to look at me as I arrive, most of them gathered near the fire. Some of the women are smirking, a few are blushing, and one of the men looks downright annoyed. I feel a bit like a teenager that’s been caught sneaking out to hook up with her boyfriend and then I push that feeling aside. I’m a grown-ass adult and I can do what I want. “You’re all just jealous,” I joke. “How’s the fire this morning?”
“It’s good,” says Sabrina cheerfully. “Vivian says she has camping memories so she’s been taking care of it for us.”
“That’s awesome,” I reply, beaming a smile at shy Vivian. She’s one of the girls that doesn’t recall even her own name, so a memory of any kind is good. “Maybe some other things will come back to you.”
I’rec emerges from the tent and “taps” my ass again with his tail as he comes to stand behind me. He puts his hands on my shoulders, his manner clearly possessive. “Who has yet to receive a khui? We will hunt early this morning.”
Two women and three of the “taters” raise their hands.
Sabrina clears her throat to get my attention and then points at Kyth, the extremely large gray male with the webbed hands. “Kyth needs another. His died overnight.”
“It died?” That’s alarming. Years of nursing allow me to keep a straight face despite this rather unusual turn of events. “Let me check you over before you head out, then.”
I’rec squeezes my shoulder. “You will eat first.”
“Not hungry,” I reply automatically, already trying to think of reasons why Kyth’s khui would have died overnight. Was it nicked when it was put into him? Too sickly? Or is there not enough “juice” in the khui that was chosen?
I’rec doesn’t release me, though. Instead, he leans over me, whispering in my ear, and his tail goes around my waist. “You will eat.” And he nips my ear to take the sting out of his command. “My mate needs her strength if she’s going to tend to all her humans.”
“Bossy jerk.” But I’m smiling. “Fine, give me something to eat so you’ll get your loincloth out of a bunch.”
“It is not bunched,” he tells me. “And we have meat from last night. Let us put some over the fire and feed our new clan.”